Rugs of Mine in Time.....

2 Full Days~~

2012-01-28T10:59:00.000-05:00

I think my posts are getting longer and longer. I had 2 full days of hooking and having fun. What more can a girl ask for? :).

Thursday's hook in was fun as usual. We missed some that usually come, so we hope all is well with them. By the time I got to the shop, there were people hooking away. On the table for all to see was Joan's rug completed! Isn't it wonderful?

Joan was busy working on some chair pads.

Nancee Completed her rug. Just Super!!! She was starting another piece.

Diane making great headway on her flying rabbit. Next week I will get a full shot so you can see how far she has come with it.

Diane picked up Nancy to come hook with us. She hasn't been here in quite some time. Great to see her and she is doing a fine job with her cat rug.

Joan was giving some great tips to Nancy and Sue on how she keeps her circle shape.

Sue is a new hooker, and her husband came with her and was helping with the cutting.

Deb is I "think" finished hooking her piece. I'm not sure if I heard her say she had something else to do on it or not. But she is already starting her next project!

Genny keeps her hands busy at nights while watching tv with her husband. She created these hearts to give to her daughter and daughter in laws. Margo made the cookies :) !

Another piece of Genny's.

Cathy stopped by too!! Another one we haven't seen around in a while. She brought her friend Sandy to get some dyed wool for an applique she is doing. Love the turkey Cathy is doing!!

Now Sherri didn't want me to take this shot. One for the cookie in her hand lol, and the other with all the red markings on her piece she drew up. But I wanted to show that no matter what you draw on your foundation, you can Always change your mind!! I love her piece :)

On Friday (geesh, it seems like days ago lol), I went to our dye group at Joan's house. I was late. Slept through the alarm. (late nights at Grantstreet !) Louise and Jewel were busy pulling and tieing strings in a piece of wool that Joan had sewed. They were gathering the wool. didn't get a shot of that part.
Joan had decided we were going to try something new that she had read about. It was called Shibori. It is a Japanese word for a variety of ways of embellishing textiles by shaping cloth and securing it before dyeing. The word comes from the verb root shiboru, "to wring, squeeze, press". The common English translation of the this word is "tie-dye"; however, a more accurate translation is "shaped resist dyeing, ". the special characteristic of shibori resist is a soft or blurry-edged pattern. There are different techniques for this. We did 2 yesterday. I could go on and on, but just took little pieces from the print out that Joan shared with us on the history of this technique. It was fun. We used wool, where in the book they had used silk.
The one technique was the sewing and gathering and the other was scrunched around a piece of pvc pipe that Joan had drilled holes in the bottom for the string that was then wrapped around the sleeve of wool as it was pulled down. Definitely team work for this project :)!

Here Louise and Jewel were snipping the gathering strings.

Isn't it Great?? And as gracious as Joan is with her wool, she was going to cut this so we could each have a piece. We said NO!!!!! I hope she uses it for something real special :). it was a grey/beige piece of wool and she used Pro Chem Turquoise as the dye. Sorry my camera did not capture the correct color.

And here Jewel is untieing the wool from the pvc pipe. Again, same dye.

Another interesting effect. Only this one didn't take the dye like the other one. We were all thinking it wasn't wet enough to absorb it. All a learning lesson, and that's why we do these things.

The result!

All that dying before lunch and then some shared their pieces of our group project. This one was started some time ago. We all dyed the wool, and then got to choose our swatches.
Jewel is very creative with her finishing. Just beautiful with the prodding around the circle. It's made into a pillow.

Louise is still working on hers. The rule of the dye group is when the first person finishes theirs, the rest of us have a month to complete ours before we move on to something else.

So feeling the pressure when I got home last night, I pulled mine out. I had the center done, the petals done and one leaf done. I started after dinner and just kept on going! All I need to do is press and whip. It will be whipped with the dark maroon color wool that I am buying from Linda. Realized I didn't pay for it yet lol.

So now that I feel like I've accomplished something, it is time to hook on one of my other 2 projects I have going on. I did get to hook some of the antique rug at the hook in. Took pictures of everything else, but didn't get that one! I will share pictures of that tomorrow I'm hoping. Will work more on it today and then switch over and hook some of the Old Nutfield.

The last 2 days have felt like a whole week to me. Time to put my feet up after I pick up around here and get some more hooking done. I don't need to go out anywhere. I like those days :).

Hoping you all have a Wonderful weekend and get to do something you truly enjoy.....

I just want to add that I have tried to leave comments on other blogs, but they are being wonky lately. I am keeping up with all of you, I just can't seem to leave the comments. Hoping the bugs work themselves out soon!

Keeping the hands moving ~~

2012-01-23T09:16:00.000-05:00

Even with threats of snow, Rug hookers push through it all to get to their favorite hook in and keep their hands moving. What a busy Thursday it was last week. Some people who usually come later in the day, decided to come early to get their "fix" of hooking. Nancee came early and showed us what she finished on her cat rug since that Sunday. Love it!!!

Patty stopped by too! We haven't seen her for a while. Was wonderful to see the progress of her rug.

Isn't it great??

One of our newest hookers Amy making a mistake that many of us have done in the past. I had to get my camera out quick for this one lol. She's doing a great job on her sheep!

Deb and Amy watching Marilyn finish hooking her first piece.

And finish she did! She was shown how to do the whipping that day and was just about done by the time she went home. I showed her how to use the wool strips, and shared with her all the different ways of finishing a rug.

The Whipping Woman came back toooooo. Haven't seen her since Christmas! Joanne was busy working away finishing up her basket of hooked pieces.

Linda was busy all day helping people. Deb watches on while Linda helps color plan a rug for another new hooker named Linda.

And here is Deb's first piece. She had already picked something out for her next piece and was also picking out wools for it.

Judith is another one we haven't seen in a while. She brought her rug and hooked for a bit before heading out. First picture is fuzzy, but I like to get a face with the rug.

Here's a close up. Just beautiful in person!

Diane is making such great progress on her rug. She sits at the end of the table in her own little world with all her baggies of worms and just hooks and hooks. It's going to be great!!!

Genny finished this punch needle piece at last weeks hook in. Her husband made the frame for her. What a terrific piece!!

I was able to get some hooking done that day. Of course I always think I'm going to do more than I actually get done. But I was able to get this much done on this Antique piece that was chosen and drawn up by Kelley Belfast. Group leader of our AAPG group on line. I don't have the whole thing laid out in my mind, and sometimes that can be a problem, but i'm having fun with it. Kelley is going to pick an antique rug every quarter to keep us motivated. I'm thinking if I choose to do the next one, it will be punch needle lol.

And since we had snow this weekend, it was a good time to do some hooking on my big rug. I can look at it all I want while it's laying on the floor, but it's not going to get hooked unless I pick up the hook and do it. I am so happy I have the largest elements finished. I have thoughts for other colors, but nothing set in stone yet. Not feeling well Sunday morning, I was starting to feel better by the afternoon. I've never had much heartburn before, but I woke up with it about 3a.m. A very strange burning sensation. After some antacids, I was happy it passed. I ended up just sleeping on the couch instead of tossing and turning in bed and waking George. I was thankful to be able to finally fall back to sleep. I'm thinking it was something I ate the day before. (then the next morning I see an article about heart attack symptoms!) Glad I'm not a hypochondriac, but will keep an eye on it.

And here we are Monday morning already! Time to get my day going. I have to run to the post office to mail a package, and then I am meeting my friend Vicki for lunch today. Hopefully I will have some good light to pick some more colors for one of my rugs. I do not like having so many projects going on at the same time. It starts to eat at me after a while. So I'm trying to just do a little on one and then a little on the other. maybe they will get done around the same time. I don't know.

I also measured the area on the wall of where I will be putting yet another piece I haven't even started yet. I will be taking the Susan Feller class at Grant Street Woolworks in just a couple weeks. She is going to be teaching us how to Design our own Fraktur. I am looking forward to that. I'm not sure if the class is full or not yet for sure, so if you are thinking about doing it, you can get in touch with Linda 717-860-4628. It's filling up fast, but I hope we see some new faces!!

It's so foggy out right now. And there was ice this morning. So nerve wracking for me when my husband goes to work, and now my daughter drives a good 45 minutes to school (on a clear day).

Safe travels to everyone out there. And here's wishing a very productive week ahead for everyone!

Take a quick peek before Friday! Our Update~~

2012-01-18T22:42:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! I will be away tomorrow at the hook in at Grant Street. I'm usually there late and like to sleep in just a little on Friday lol. I didn't want to miss reminding you of the update.. So I need to get this blog out tonight to remind you all about the Selling blog that I've joined. PrimitiveHandmadesMercantile. Click on the link here, or at the top of my side bar to see the New blog, and what the Artists are selling. There will be an update every 3rd Friday of each month. Right now if you click on it, you will see that we are having a Grand Opening GiveAway! If you sign up to recieve the monthly Newsletter, you will automatically be entered. It's only going on for one week, before the name of the winner is picked. You can see what the prizes are too in the picture above the details. So why not hop on over and take a peek at everything. There might be something there that interests you. Book mark it and stop back on Friday to do some shopping :)! Valentines Day is coming, and there is lots to choose from ! Wait till you see :) !

I have to thank Teresa Miller and Robin Leushen for all their hard work in bringing all of us together so quickly, and making everything look so wonderful! This group of women are so very talented, and I'm happy to be a part of it.

Thanks for stopping by here and at PrimitiveHandmadesMercantile. I always appreciate your comments and love reading them.

Wishing you a Blessed weekend..... Stay warm and be creative!

Lake's Birthday

2012-01-17T21:31:00.000-05:00

Friday the 13th this month Lakein turned 26. Her mom and I talked through messaging, and I found out that Lake likes my coffee cake. Sooo we had a pizza party with her and her Mom and Dad and friends. Kind of hard to decorate a crumb topping, so I just arranged 26 candles to form the number.

I'm thinking she is wishing many, many wishes.....

And I'm sure they will all come true after blowing out all those candles!

What a fun night it was with the family. I'm hoping the upcoming year brings many good things for her and Craig.

Hooking the Big one ~ Hook in fun ~ Rug Hooking class with Susan Feller

2012-01-14T11:36:00.000-05:00

What a fast week this has been. Helped out at the shop for 2 days this week, and on Wednesday I was able to finish up hooking a piece for the selling blog. The update will be Next Friday! Check back for more details as time gets closer.

Thursday was the hook in, and wow, was it a hopping day! Love seeing Linda's shop full like that. I whipped my the mat I finished hooking the day before, and then started the outline for the Big one I'm doing. I outlined in an 8.5 cut and will do the inside in a 9 cut. I'm excited about it, and will be working on that today. (there is an NCIS marathon that starts at 1:00 today lol).

Two new people came to the hook in to learn how to hook, so Linda set them up with something to give them a feel. Before they left, they had a pattern, some wool with it cut and were ready to do some hooking at home. They said they will be back next week. Amy on the left with her mom Marilyn on the right. Hope I got the names right.

Barb had 2 of her friends there. The one on the right is teaching an applique class, and the one on the left is one of the students. Sorry I forgot their names. They were busy for a while picking out some dyed wool.

Joan and Linda talking about Joan's piece and boy oh boy, as the day went on, those 2 got so giddy. Love the laughter :) :)....

Tanya in the bottom corner of the picture above surprised us yesterday. She had some work in the area and made sure she had her hooking in the car :). We were real happy to see her! This is the piece she is working on now. Love it!

And Nancee finished yet another piece! This piece and the one above are both from the same designer. Anne Nichols from Annetiques. Can't wait to see what she will be hooking next week!

More silliness. Genny went to the farm show this week with her grandchildren and had to have the hat lol. She brought her rocking chair that she bought at a sale and then hooked the back and seat for it. Way to go Genny!!

She brought her sister Dot to try and get her to finish the project she started to hook.

And here is the punch needle piece that Genny finished that evening. She didn't have much more to go. Great job!

Now that Diane finished her pig rug, she has started a new one. I think she is really enjoying it.

And now a little bit about Linda having a class in February taught by Susan Feller. It's a class on designing your own fraktur to hook. I will be taking the class and am looking forward to it. If anyone is interested, or you have some questions, you can contact Linda directly at 717-860-4628. It will be a 3 day class at Grant street Woolworks. Would love to see some New faces!! As I receive more news about it, I'll give an update ~~

The weather certainly has gotten colder the last few days, and I'm happy that I don't have to go out at all this weekend. Well, church tomorrow, but that is it!

Last night we had family over for Lake's Birthday. Will share a few pic's from that perhaps tomorrow. We had a great time. I cleaned the house real good yesterday (1 1/2 hours on my hands and knees cleaning the kitchen floor) . God I can't wait till we get a new one...................... So I deserve the day off today to get some crafting done :)

Enjoy your weekend everyone, and stay warm! I'm off to start another piece for the selling blog. Can't decide on cross stitch or punch needle. Decisions, decisions.....

Looking Ahead ~~

2012-01-02T11:45:00.000-05:00

Happy 2012 everyone! I hope it's brighter outlooks for everyone this year. I say it a lot, and I'll say it here. It is what it is...... Whatever life brings us this year, let's just deal with it and move forward. I'm wishing you all a very prosperous and healthy New Year ~~

I have been enjoying the rest of the Holiday season by just relaxing. Some days I do something, and some days I don't. It's been wonderful. Last week I went to the hook in. It's great to see some pieces being finished!

Diane finished her pig..

And she started to whip it. Linda showed her how. She was doing a Great job!

Nancee finished hooking her latest piece that day..

And also finished it off... all in the same day!

Joan brought her piece to work on. Look at those colors~~ (I really thought it would have been done by now though).... Ok, just teasing! lol

Barb was working on a cathedral window piece.

Linda? well, I thought maybe she was either googling something, or playing her words on line with Joanne since she wasn't there lol.

And Genny was working on hers. Sorry I didn't get a full shot of it.

Big news that day (and leave it to me to not get a picture of it!!!) was when Sherri came and showed us her Engagement ring. Yep, it happened Christmas Eve I believe. We are sooooooo happy for her! I'll have to do better next time and get a shot of it. I told her I needed some "bling" for my "blog" :).

On to some new news to share with you all. I have been invited to join a selling blog on line. It is called Primitive Handmades Mercantile. It will be up and running with our pieces to offer on January 20th. We will be updating it every 3rd Friday of each month. You can click on it here to take a quick peek and see who the artists are. I am very excited about it, and have been working on getting a few items ready. Teresa has been busy working hard on getting this all done. Thank you Teresa for inviting me to be a part of it. I know she has had help from her friend Robin with this, so thank you Robin too!

Now that the Christmas decorations are all down, it's time to clean the house. I've been avoiding it this past weekend, but now it's time. So I'm off to do that. Wishing you all a Fabulous week ahead!!

From Our Home to Yours.. Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T19:44:00.000-05:00

Christmas Season Updates, Party, and time to say good bye ~~

2011-12-21T22:54:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I last posted. I have been enjoying this Christmas Season by not getting stressed, and just going with the flow. It's been wonderful. I'm going to be sorry when it's over. So here's a little of what has been going on....

Almost 2 weeks ago, George, Nicole and I went to pick out our Christmas tree. It was a beautiful day, and we had a great time. Hard to get a shot of the two of them with a bumpy wagon ride!

George putting the last of the ornaments on the tree....

Last Thursday Linda had the Christmas party at the shop. Oh my, what a time we had! During the day it was regular hooking as usual, and some people brought something to work on.

And Nancy P. was working on finishing up her piece.

There was soooo much food. This is just one table. There was another, and yet another with desserts on it!

First time it was quiet that day when everyone sat down to eat lol.

There were guessing games to be played....

Then the 3 gift game. With this game, everyone brings 3 wrapped gifts. And everyone is encouraged NOT to buy anything for this. It's more of a white elephant. Although, someone's rejects, are someone else's treasures! Well, some of them lol. Linda giving instructions.

We each picked 3 numbers, and Linda would call out a number. When your number is called, you go up and pick out a package, but you don't open it.

Once you pick your package, you can swap with someone else if you choose too, or you can keep it. A lot of sneakiness was going on with this part! Just look at Joan lol.

Linda spying up a package she wanted..

After all the numbers are called, and swapping done, the packages are opened. No way could I get shots of everyone and everything. so just a sampling.

Here a quilter received a Gorgeous hooked rug from her secret pal! Joan had Barb's name. Barb was so thrilled.

Something to keep Linda warm this Winter from Genny!!

Then there was the last game of the evening. I will not show pictures of the actual game... Too many people, too many shots. But I will be emailing individuals that I did capture on camera playing it. I wish I could have gotten everyone, but there was so much laughing! Linda starting to explain the game..

Teams ready for a race ~~ And Let me just say that Everyone had a Great time with this! It's a given when you play this game, that you use the bathroom first. It is hysterical.

When one of the teams won, I quickly ran over and told them to call out a number. Betty picked the number I had chosen, and I ran to get her the gift. You see, Last year, I had this snowman that I gave away for the 3 gift game. THIS year, I got it back. How the heck that happened, from having 20 people and 60 gifts, I'll never know LOL. Soooo, I in return gave it as a gift for the last game. No way was I going to look at this snowman for another full year!! Now Betty has it :)

At the end of the night, we opened our secret pal gifts, and found out who had who. Joanne had me, and I had Joanne. That was really tough keeping it a secret, but I think we figured it out :). I read her blog the other day and was laughing so hard at a picture she had of me with the "tree skirt" she gave me. I had to tease her and tell her that I thought it was a "pancho" and that I wore it to work the other day :). I absolutely LOVE all of my gifts, and she has spoiled me rotten all year long. I can't thank you enough Joanne. Unfortunately like Joanne, I started to place all my items around the house, and never took pictures. I'm really slacking in that area lately. Absent minded really. Like I said, just going with the flow of the Christmas Season. We then picked names for next year's secret pal. We have some new people who have joined in!

I received sooo many beautiful, thoughtful gifts. I can't even name them all. From wool, to ornaments, a magazine subscription, gift card, jewelry, polish pottery, even a #9 blade (Thank you so very much Linda!). Again, so much to list. Each and every item is loved and appreciated! Thank you to everyone!

Today I met up with my friend Beth and we spent the day wandering around the antique stores, had lunch (with desssert :)) and exchanged our gifts to each other. Thank you Beth for everything. I love them all. I have already set the items out. Will be dying that wool maybe next week! Beth made me the cutest charm to wear on a chain. It's a scrabble tile with my initial, along with many other sweet items :).

And now it's time to say good bye.... Not to blogging, but to my Harvest Rug. It's completed (yes, even has a label). Time to roll it up until next Fall when I will bring it out and display it. I am soooooooooooo happy that I can put it to rest, and not have it on the back of my mind that I had to finish it.

I hope everyone is as ready as they can be for Sunday. We will be celebrating it over my Son's house. All I have to make is a side dish and one dessert. How cool is that? George's Birthday is Christmas Eve, and it will just be him and I. I will make him a nice dinner, and we will celebrate his Birthday with the kids on Christmas day. I'm looking forward to the weekend to just turn off and relax.

The Hook in tomorrow is still ON! So if you just want to get out for a little while, head on over! Last minute gifts to buy? Head on over!

Soooo close ~~~

2011-12-09T11:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday everyone! Hope your week went well for you. It most certainly goes by fast these days. The older you get, it sure does fly by. The hook in was so nice and relaxing yesterday. I didn't get there until close to noon. I had some errands to run in the morning. But I did settle down and put the hook to the foundation very shortly after I sat down. I did stop at Dunkin Donuts on my way, and got myself a cup of coffee (thanks to Joanne for getting me hooked). It is a cup of their coffee, but has 1/4 hot chocolate, and the rest coffee. No need for sugar or cream. The hot chocolate takes care of the sweetness. Mmmmm.

Anyway, here is all I could get done. My hands gave out around 7:30. Just in time to order some pizza and have it delivered. It was just Linda, Nancee and myself at this point. Great relaxing day! Sooo close to being finished ~~

And Diane too.... soo close!

And Barb too! I had asked her if she wanted this top that my Mil had and never finished hand quilting. She did a wonderful job with it, and will give it to Angie to hang up. I'm so tickled to see it done :)

Didn't take too many pictures, and never did get a picture of the piece Nancee was working on. It's a small piece, but I'm "SURE" she will have it done by next week (oh heck, probably be done by tonight LOL)and will bring it back to show us. Will get a picture of it then. And Linda was hooking up some sheep with wool roving.. soo cute!

This morning I just couldn't resist taking a shot of this on my kitchen table. Nothing Christmas"y" about it, but soo pretty :). Might just have to put something Christmas"y" around it to fit it in with the Season ~

I'm going to be cleaning today, and moving a desk out of the way to put our Christmas tree that we will be getting this weekend. I want to bring up some decorations too and hopefully finish that. I won't be putting a whole lot out. Have really been going simple with it the past couple years. Weeding out pieces I no longer want and giving them to friends or family. And if all goes well, I hope to get the wrapping done... Lots planned to keep me busy!

Wishing you All a wonderful weekend :)

Hoping to finish ~~ And Christmas party reminder

2011-12-07T08:07:00.000-05:00

Happy Wednesday everyone! It's dreary, raining and we are expecting some snow this evening. It's not supposed to be too bad and tomorrow should be just fine. Today is a good day to stay in and work on something if you are having the same weather. Go ahead, enjoy it!

I will be heading out to help Linda out at the shop today though. And tomorrow is the hook in. I'm hoping, really hoping to finish this project before the end of the year. I really don't like having projects unfinished. Especially a seasonal one like this. Last week at the hook in, I was able to really put the motor on the end of the elbow and get some hooking done! Not too many pictures at all of the hook in, but as usual, it was a truly fun day!

Here is what I was able to finish ~ Working in an 8.5 cut, it's going pretty quickly. I would love to have this done, (labeled), rolled up and ready to display next Fall.

There were lots of trees being made that day. Nancee and Nancy wanted to know how to make them, and Joanne had enough supplies with her to help them out !

And then some hooking and finishing of other things going on.

My Christmas shopping is just about done. Only a couple little things that will be finished up this weekend. I will also wrap this weekend. This has to be the first year that I am this far ahead. I told myself that I was not going to stress, and it feels ooooh sooooo good not to.

Ok, now on to the party reminder. The Christmas party at Grant Street Woolworks is next week, December 15th. The hook in will be as usual till about 5:00. So if you just want to hook, come on out!! And if you want to stay for the party, just let Linda or I know about it. It will start around 5:30. She just asks you to bring something small along for the food table. There is always sooo much food, so don't go all out! There will also be games to play. For one of the games, it involves bringing something, so if you are interested and rather than me going through all the details, just contact Linda or I and we'll go over it with you. It is sooooooooooooooo much fun. You don't have to play it though. Really hope to see you all there, and perhaps some new faces :)!!

Well, time to have one more cup of coffee before I head out this morning. I have to meet Nicole at the Oral surgeon this afternoon to have her wisdom teeth evaluated for removal. She is hoping to have them done before Christmas (why????) I have no idea. But that is what she wanted. We'll see how things go. She has been having jaw pain lately.

So how are all of you doing with your Holiday preperations? Tree up, decorations done? Not doing any at all this year and taking it easy? We will be getting our tree this weekend. My porch is done, but nothing else. That is a plan for this weekend too.

Enjoy your hump day everyone!!

Happy Monday ~~

2011-11-28T09:03:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving dinner with family this year. I enjoyed mine very much. It is the First time since I've been married and having Thanksgiving, that I let someone help me in the kitchen. Why didn't I do this before? I always feel that my company should just relax. I always handled everything. This time though, all the women were in the kitchen and it was so much fun! Lake's Mom did the gravy, Lake took over on the mashed potatoes, Nicole did the veggies, and I handled the bird. Lots of laughing and story telling. The night ended with dessert and full bellies. Perfect day :).

I didn't do the regular Black Friday shopping that I normally do. First year for that too. I hope all of you who did venture out to the craziness, did so without having any of the horror stories that were happening out there. I did meet up with my friend Beth at the Little Log House in East Berlin. They had the fire place going, and the atmosphere was so much nicer than waiting in line at the department stores. Plus, this is all hand made items. The girls and I from the Black Sheep Rug Hookers put some of our things in there as well. I believe it's by invitation only to put your things in there. I'm happy we were invited. Beth and I also went to a couple antique stores and also to our friend Becky Mummert's open house. She does pottery. Of course I bought some of her stoneware for myself. I already put it away, and forgot to take a picture of it :(. It was a full day, but a relaxing one without all the commotion. Thanks for the great day Beth..

On Saturday I did nothing. I have been battling a cold and I was exhausted. Didn't sleep well Friday night from the coughing. So I just rested all day. George changed the oil in my car, etc. Wish I would have gotten out my hooking, but I didn't. I even passed up on going to Brenda's hook in so I could rest up.

I received a package on Saturday from my Secret pal on usaprim on ebay. I was battling if I should open it, so I posted that I received it and let them make the decision for me. Well, my arm was twisted :). Ginger from Primitives by the light of the moon had my name. This woman never stops. I seriously don't know how she does it ALL.

From decorating the mailing package...

To the sweet packaging and "making" the card......

And then creating ALL of this!! Thank you so Very much Ginger. I Love it all! What a Beautiful way to start off the Christmas Cheer :)

Yesterday George and I took Craig and Lake to set sail on their Honeymoon. I could sense the excitement when they spotted the Ship! We didn't get a chance to park or take pictures, just dropped them off. Caught this one as we were driving away.... Everything went very smooth for them ... Can't wait to hear how it went in another week! And George and I are looking forward to when we will be setting sail next year to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary!

Today I may do some online shopping for Christmas, do some laundry, maybe even make it to the grocery store. I hope you all have a wonderful start to your week!!

Being Thankful

2011-11-20T20:30:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe that this week is Thanksgiving. The stores are already geared up for Christmas. I'm even in the Christmas spirit, but I want to take time to give this Holiday the meaning it deserves. What a year it has been for me. My daughter graduating High School and starting college, Son getting married, me turning 50 (like you didn't hear enough about that!). It has been filled with lots of emotions to say the least. I couldn't be more grateful to my family and friends for all that we have shared this year. I don't like to be thankful for just one day. Instead, I try to give thanks in "everything" each and every day. No matter how great, or how bad something is, I give a huge effort to be thankful in all my circumstances. It doesn't always happen, but I give it my best shot. There is always something to be learned from what we are going through.

The last few weeks have gone by and I've been keeping busy. Work is slow, so it has given me time to take care of things at home. I just haven't been in the mood to do the blog. I've been reading everyone elses though. That's why I'm writing now, because I will be busy this week with getting the shopping and cooking done for Thursday. We plan on having a few extra people this year... I'm excited!

George and I celebrated our 24th Wedding Anniversary this month. He surprised me with roses and we went out and had a wonderful meal together. Even split a dessert :).

I also spent time taking my friend Donna to dinner (belated Birthday present for her) and then shared a dessert.... (yes it was heaven) We took a stroll through the outlets after dinner, and it was sooo pretty. They had up all white lights for decoration outside the stores. It really put you in the Christmas mood.

The last 2 weeks of hook in photo's ... Teresa and Michele (how fun that day was!)

Joanne whipping up a storm for her upcoming shows...

Joan making mats for her sisters for Christmas...

Sherri's deer that she will make into a pillow for the men on her list this year!

And yet another birthday gift. This was from Jill. What a wonderful package! Thank you again Jill !

Nancee , 2 weeks from start to finish on this project. It will hang below her mantel on her fireplace. She started another project for her Mother, and I'm sure it is done by now :). Can't wait to see what her next one is going to be!

Genny just about done with her state rug!

Mabel's stitched gifts for her children.

Here is the progress on my rug. Was hoping to have it done before this week, but in reality, I don't see it happening. Sooo, will be shooting for finishing for next year!

I hope you all have a Blessed Thanksgiving, and are surrounded by family and friends. And if your heart is prompted, why not invite someone to your dinner who does not have family this year? Or take a plate of turkey to someone who can't leave their home? What a Blessing that would be...... both for you and the receiver.......

I'm not done yet ~~

2011-11-07T07:47:00.000-05:00

For once the weekend went kind of slow for me. All day Friday I kept thinking it was Saturday. Hate when that happens. I feel all out of whack. On Saturday, I gathered up some wool early in the morning along with my formulas and dyes. And wouldn't you know it, I didn't have 2 of the dyes lol? Lots of colors to choose from, so it didn't stop me. When I walked into the wool room, I didn't know what wools to choose to over dye. I think I may have too much ;). I wasn't even sure what colors I wanted, so I just picked some. My shelves look empty from color, so I just decided to wing it. Here is a sampling of the wools I overdyed. The first picture are camel colored wools. Came out greenish on my screen.

And here are the results. I was in and out of the kitchen all day on Saturday just playing in the dye pots. It's been a long time since I've done this at home. I enjoyed it! Now to organize the shelves better. That is going to take some time.

Yesterday I made it to church. It makes me sad to think I've missed so many weeks of it. But October was a very busy month for me. It felt good to be back. I had put a roast in the crockpot for dinner before I left, so didn't have to think about that later. Afterwards, I did some grocery shopping, and then did some more around the house. I barely got to see much of the NCIS marathon. But did watch the movie last night. A bit disappointed in that one. I was ready to buckle down and do some hooking while watching it, but realized I left my blade at the shop on Thursdays hook in. Always something!

Not sure what I'll be be getting into this week, but I do know that I'm not done yet with the dying. I had a blast, and want to continue. Some people dye just for the project they are working on at the time. Me? I like to just have something to choose from when the time is ready. If it's not the right one, then I will dye something else. But at least I'll have something on the shelves!

Wishing everyone a great Monday :) !

Full House

2011-11-05T10:51:00.000-04:00

Trying to get back to a normal schedule now that things are settling down from the wedding. Time to relax a bit, and what better time than at the hook in on Thursday. It certainly ended up being a full house!

Linda and Barb. Barb was working on using up her scraps in a penny style rug.

Linda and her rug. Great design that she had Nancy P. draw up for her.

There was punching going on by Willa and Julie. And Nancee in the background with her rug on the ground trying to color plan and see if things work. Hope they are working for you now Nancee ! And Diane is plugging away on her pig rug. Making great progress!

Even some painting going on by Betsy.

Linda took some breaks to share with everyone the new sparkly wool that she had over dyed. People were really excited about it!

Then back to work she went in the sewing room. She had an order that needed to be finished by the next day. And she got it done before the night was over :)!! Ok, it was morning by the time it was finished, but it was done! Ok, all except the collar lol. But the guy gave the wrong measurement, and being as good of a sewer that she is, she figured that out before cutting it. The guy came to pick it up on Saturday, and she made the collar and sewed it on for him.

Brenda working on the rug that someone ordered from her. Thought I got a shot of it when it was on the floor, but I guess I didn't. It's a round rug. Very pretty with sculpting.

Nancy P working on her rug. Lovely colors !

And Julie finishing up a piece. She used swim suit material for the horn and rick rack in a chain stitch for the border. Very cool !

Louise working on a penny rug stocking. They always turn out so sweet!

And yes, even I got some hooking done! I'm hoping to get to hook some more this weekend. I changed it a little by covering up the words Goode Things in the roof. Leaving the Harvest though.

Also going on is a Christmas Home show that I was asked to bring some of my items too. Thank you Teresa for asking me. It runs through the weekend. I went yesterday for the first day. Just had to take some shots of one of her rooms. (completely forgot to take some pic's of her crafts lol.. sad.... brain is only half working these days). Her husband and son are hunters, and Wow, what beautiful displays of his hobby!

This is what I bought from her. Her husband builds them and Teresa paints the wood pieces beautifully. I have always admired her bread boxes. And there was one there, and just the perfect color for me. :). I just Love it! I'm slowly filling my home with pieces that I enjoy. Kids are getting older, and pretty soon it will be just George and I. While I can, I am picking up little things here and there. And pretty soon, I'm hoping the time will be there for me to create more things with my hands that I can place around the house too.

And here is a Loooong over-due Thank you for a Birthday gift given to me by Nettie. I told her when I thanked her, that I was going to put it on the blog, and just haven't gotten to it yet. I just Love it Nettie! It was so thoughtful of you. I look forward to punching it up. Thank you..... Hope to see you soon and that you are feeling better each day!

I spent the day yesterday cleaning after I came home from Teresa's. I had the bread box on the counter, and well, that led to rearranging everything. Good time to just clean while doing it. Isn't it funny how one little item can sometimes lead to a whole room make over lol? I had fun doing it though. There is so much I'd like to do to my home, but just not enough hours. I'd like to repaint a few rooms and we desperately need new carpet or flooring of some type. But some things will just have to wait.

Today I don't have really anything planned that I need to go out of the house for. So, in just a little while, I am going to buckle down and get some wool dyed. I have been wanting to do it for a long time. Today is the day. I will try and take some before and after shots. I plan on doing some over dying of some textures.

And tomorrow is a day long marathon of NCIS, Plus a movie with Mark Harmon in it at 9:00 tomorrow night. I know where I'll be. In my chair doing some hooking, maybe stitching, maybe something else. But I will be doing something. I've been jotting things down that I want to create, so I'll just be picking something.

I certainly hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend. Use your hands... it's amazing at what you can create!

The Happy Couple

2011-11-02T21:42:00.000-04:00

It might be a while before I get the pictures back, so I thought I would go ahead and post the ones that I do have.

Here are some pictures from the Hall on Friday when we went to decorate. It was completely empty when we got there except for the tables and chairs. It was such a joy to see everyone working together. I love what Lake and Craig had picked for everything. It was the first time I was able to see everything.

We ALL were peeling potatoes. I don't know how Lake's Mom did what she did. All the food was cooked the day before. What fun we had peeling that 25 lb bag of potatoes! Lots of laughs, and it went quickly.

All ready for Saturday!

Still chopping those potatoes up lol.

The rehearsal went very well, and didn't take too long. During the practice is when Lake received the phone call about the photographer not coming because of the snow expected on Saturday. Amazing to watch all the girls pull out their phones to get another person to do the photo's. And one was found.
Here she is practicing... Didn't have many pictures of the rehearsal. I was already getting teary..

Then a good Rehearsal dinner with 2 plus tables with 20 people. It was late, and we were all tired. George gave a wonderful toast to the happy couple!

Saturday getting ready....

We made it there, despite the snow. I gave George a big kiss for getting us there safely.

.... A shot of the cake.

I got the biggest kick out of the High Five couple :)

And here we go ~~~ George and I entered the room first.

Our chairs

Lakes Mom on the left, escorted by John and Millie

Craig's face when he sees Lake :)

Girls in place....

And the Beautiful Bride Lakein escorted by her Dad Kenny

The ceremony

The Kiss ~~

And the New Mr. and Mrs. Craig Harris ~~

Very Happy Parents :)

Brother and Sister

I was able to retrieve a picture taken outside in the snow from Jessica's facebook pictures.

Before the reception, the girls fooling around lol.

And their first dance to the song "The very thought of you". This is where I lost it. They looked so lost in each other, so very happy.... It was absolutely beautiful :) Lake did a wonderful job at picking out music.

The reception was a wonderful time. Lake thought it would be fun to change into costumes. She loves Halloween. The girls changed and so did Lake. Other people had costumes on too.

Here is one shot of Lake and her Maid of Honor Jessica.

I didn't want to bore you with picture after picture (all though I could have posted every one!)of everyone coming down the aisle,the reception, family, etc. So I tried to sum it up the best I could. It was a Fabulous day, the food was Outstanding (standing ovation to Lakes Mom Verna, and her sisters and family for cooking the food), everyone enjoyed themselves, and we couldn't be more happier for Craig and Lake. We wish them many, many, many years of Love and Happiness.!

Just waiting...

2011-10-31T23:07:00.000-04:00

On pictures from the wedding to share with you. My camera went dead and my Sister in law took over for me with her camera. I'm just waiting now to get some back from her. Will update when I get them.

Rehearsal on Friday went well. It was a very long day decorating, practicing and then rehearsal dinner later in the evening. Everyone worked together and we got the hall decorated. During practice the photographer called and cancelled because of the snow coming the next day. I was so proud of Lake for not falling to pieces, and for all the girls grabbing their cells and trying to find someone new. Before the night was over, there was another one lined up.

The morning of the wedding, I woke up and looked out the window. I really thought it was supposed to start later in the day, but it decided to start early. Once I saw there was snow on the ground, I didn't look out the window again until it was time to leave. We took George's truck and used the 4 wheel drive off and on all the way there. We saw one car in the ditch on it's side and another one that had spun out and was on the other side of the road. I kept my eyes closed most of the ride, just to relax as much as I could. Going into Gettysburg, there was a tree that lost a big limb and we were detoured. Heard there was a power line that fell across the road. We had just missed that one! I gave George a big kiss for getting us there safely.

Craig and the groomsmen made it there shortly after we did. They had some DJ problems, and neck tie problems lol. The latter was fixed easily. But everything worked out. A big surprise was that my brother and his family made it from Delaware. If they didn't come (which I would not have blamed them because of the snow), it would have been George and I on Craig's side of the family. We don't have a big family anymore with all the passings in the last several years. So it was a real treat that they were there.

Lake picked out some beautiful music for the ceremony. Everything went as planned, and the food was absolutely fabulous! Her Mom and Aunts did all the cooking. Standing ovation for all of them! Lake looked beautiful in her dress, and yes I cried at different parts of the evening.
I won't talk too much here. Will share more when I get some pictures to show you. Just trying to give a quick update.

I now have a Daughter in law and we couldn't be more happier for the two of them. One other glitch that happened was the one who was to marry them, couldn't make it. They were to send someone else, but they couldn't either. Sooo, the kids had someone do the ceremony, and then today Lake's Mom and I went to witness the kids have another short ceremony with the Justice of the Peace to make it finalized. So today on Halloween, is their actual Wedding Day!. If it's meant to be, it will happen, and it certainly did :)

Will post again sometime soon. Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead!

My finished piece

2011-10-24T08:33:00.000-04:00

Trying to keep up with the blog a little more even though there isn't much to say. But I did say that I would share my cross stitch piece with you that I finished. The pattern is to make a sewing roll, but I made it into a pillow. The measurements is approx 9"x20". I'm very pleased with the way it turned out.

Yesterday I took a ride to meet up with my friend Beth Colvin out in Hanover, Pa. Here is a view of the mountain that I drove over. I was going to go a different way, but thought I better go this way and enjoy the view. It's not going to last much longer.....

Our first stop was the Black Rose Antique store. Always fun to walk around in there. And they have the best oldies music playing. We just beebop around the store and look at all the fun stuff. Didn't come home with anything from there this time. Before we headed to our next stop, Beth gifted me with this package. A sweet basket that will go on my sewing table. A blue mason jar, a sheep mold ornament, a handmade pumpkin, and a handmade pincushion in a tin that has a clamp on it. Great to put on my basket to carry around! Love Beth's hand mades... She does the sweetest tiniest pieces :). Also was this Peahen from Kathy Maker of Primitive Homespuns . Kathy is always at Colonial Day and we just love her work. Such a sweet girl. Thank you Beth for all my treasures.... I just love them :)

We stopped at another antique store and had some lunch and then went to Thymes Remembered where I came home with these few items from both places.

To finish the day off, we stopped at a diner for dessert. Could it have been another piece of Birthday cake? Why of course :). Should have snapped a shot of it. Oh my, was it delicious! A great day spent with a dear friend. Beth even surprised me by telling me something she did the night before.....(at first I was a bit scared lol). She got out her last hooking project and pulled some loops!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was sooooo excited. Beth hasn't worked on her projects for a very looooong time. She pulled a couple loops on my rug one day, and then some at colonial day on Willa's. But she actually got out HER piece :). I'm thinking the Biennial inspired her! But it might also have been that I told her I would whip her projects for her LOL. Either way, I'm happy that she is pulling those loops and I hope the hooking bug comes back to her. And I most definitely would do the whipping for her!

After the ride home which was a bit darker then, I came home to do some laundry and pick up some things, play some games on the computer and make a list of what needs to be done this week. The partying is coming to an end. What a great month it has been, and I wouldn't have changed a thing. Thank you to all who have made this Birthday so memorable for me! I love you all.....

But now it's time to buckle down, and get prepared for what is about to take place this coming Saturday. My little boy will be taking his fiance's hand, and will say their vows in front of family and friends. Am I nervous? You have no idea..... So that's where the list comes in. Quite a bit to get done in the next few days. I intend on going to the hook in on Thursday to have some peaceful time with friends, and then Friday is the rehearsal dinner and set up for the wedding. One day at a time, that's what I'll do to keep my sanity.... And no more cake, I have to fit into my dress soon lol.

Wishing everyone a terrific week ahead. Temps are really changing and you can feel the crispness around here lately. Such a beautiful time of the year... (forgot to say that I changed the settings on the blog, since people have told me that they can't leave comments.. hope it works for you)

More rugs from the Biennial in Lancaster, Pa

2011-10-22T14:38:00.000-04:00

Ready for some more inspiration? I have to say that I did not get every rug that was on display. So I apologize if you read my blog and your rug is not on here. I did my best. It was quite crowded that day, and I was bumping butts with a lot of people trying to take pictures too. I kept saying I'd remember to go back and finish, but I never did. So enjoy the rest of the show....

And I meant it when I said I saw some other blogging friends. Joanne was able to snap this for me. Lauren of Rugs and Pugs and me..

Catching up today on some cleaning, and playing games on the computer. Stopped for a while so I could finish off the cross stitch piece I did by Stacy Nash. It was designed to be a sewing roll, but I made it into a pillow. I'll snap a picture of that later and share it with you tomorrow.

Hope everyone starts hooking or picks up an unfinished project and gets creative this weekend. You've certainly had lots to be inspired by!!

Rug Show from the Atha Biennial

2011-10-21T21:32:00.000-04:00

I'm not going to say much in this post, other than it was a great day spent with Joanne and Linda at the Atha Biennial in Lancaster Pa. If you are ever have a chance to go to one, please do. It's a wonderful way to see some beautiful rugs, and be inspired. Lots of vendors too, and I found some wool that was happy to come home with me :).

How fun it was to see so many familiar faces again of fellow rug hookers. I also was able to meet a designer of a rug I did a while back called Nightngale. It was designed by Katherine Porter of LoopDeLoo Designs. Also Maria Barton who was teaching that day. She is a member of the AAPG group on line, and other blogging friends :). Just a great day!
I'm sharing about half of the pictures today and the other half will be tomorrow. Enjoy!

Inspired yet?? Tune in tomorrow for the rest!

No hook in this week ~~

2011-10-19T18:53:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to let everyone know who comes to Grant Street Woolworks for the hook in on Thursdays, that there will not be a hook in this week.

Yesterday Linda and I took a ride to Rebecca Erb's place for her Harvest Celebration. At one point I thought of getting the camera out, but then something else would catch my eye, or there would be someone to talk with, and it just never happened. Lots and lots of wool to look at, and a few other vendors to visit. And a wonderful door prize that I'm hoping they draw my name for :).
We met Joanne there and then went out to lunch afterwards. It was a beautiful day. On the way home, my Garmin seemed to have a mind of it's own. We were all over the place. Glad Linda and I could laugh about it. Actually we had a LOT of laughing going on because of the stupid machine. We made it home safe and sound, just a lot later than we expected... Linda treated me to a piece of ginger cake that she made, and I was able to see a Huge variety of african violets that she is raising. There were some really unique ones.

Tomorrow starts the rug show at the Biennial in Lancaster. Will definitely remember to take pictures of some of the rugs to share with you. Hoping to see some color combinations that inspire me to do in some future rugs. Kind of get tired using the same old colors.

I can't believe how fast this month is flying by. Didn't get to do some of the things that I had on my list for my celebration month, but there is still a little time. I'll see if I can squeeze something in next week.

Till next time......

I'm so enjoying my time ~~~

2011-10-14T19:04:00.000-04:00

Yes, It's still going on. And by the picture below, I'm thinking that face says "more cake... do I have too"? I certainly splured the past couple weeks. It was so worth it.

On Sunday, Craig and Lake stopped by to enjoy the cake with us and have pizza for lunch.

And of course just trying to get a shot of the 3 of them was a bit difficult. We had a really nice time.. and after they left, the chair in the other room with the Ott light on was calling my name to do some more stitching. Very relaxing day it was!

At the hook in this week, Margo brought her rug that she has finished. It turned out just beautiful. She was working on a snowman trio she drew up. Hoping to get a shot of that next time.

Joan had also brought a rug she recently finished. Linda was checking out the label on the back, and I did get a close up of that too below.

The rug is Joan's thumb print. It is titled "Graphic Self Image", and was designed in 1985 when Joan was in Art school. The label below has a picture of her holding her portrait that she drew or painted. That I forgot to ask. Sorry about that Joan. So here it is transfered onto linen and hooked.

Also this week I received a package in the mail from Lori of HomeSpun Prims. She is also a member of AAPG. I am a Pear lover through and through. Love the look of them, love to eat them, just Love them! Here she gave me a bunch! The small ones she made and the large one was made by Renee of Crow (or crows) Roost Prims. They are soooo sweet! I love them Lori, and thank you again for such a sweet Birthday gift! Your work is amazing and so precise!

Joan gifted me with some beautiful hand dyed wool, floss and chocolate.. A hookers dream :). Thank you so much Joan. I look forward to using up the wool and floss.

And Nancee gifted me yesterday with some more beautiful wools, MORE chocolate (how are these people finding out that I love Chocolate... hmm??) lol. and also the sweetest little Singer oil can. Thank you so much Nancee!!

And besides spending time with so many friends and family over the past couple weeks, I have been so enjoying my time with stitching this piece by Stacy Nash. I only have a few more elements to add to the right side and then finish it off. I have some fabric that I will use. Will take a final shot when it's completed.

Today I went out in the rain to look for a pair of shoes for the wedding which is just 2 weeks away. Grrrrrrr is all I have to say. I have looked and looked and looked for a simple pair of black heels. Not a platform, not a 5" heel, nothing that an 18 year old would wear, nor someone who would be standing on a street corner (and they aren't hooking rugs lol!) but a pair that someone "my" age would wear and feel comfortable in. A classy, traditional style pump with a higher heel that doesn't have a pointed toe that is 4 inches out in front, or a rounded toe that looks like a 7 year olds shoe. I just don't get it!! I am so disappointed at what is out there. Can I just say that the styles today are just Ugly!! In all honesty, for as many styles that I had seen today, I can truthfully say that I have never seen a single pair on anyone yet! So they aren't getting sold, and will end up on the clearance rack I'm sure of it! Isn't this telling the designers anything?? I'm just happy I found my dress. That was hard enough too! So I drove North of me to look in quite a few stores, and now tomorrow I will go South to Maryland and try a few places there. I don't have much time left! The few pair that I did try on, wouldn't even stay on my feet. I wish that I had a foot that I could just order something on line and they fit. Well, that's not going to happen either. Praying tomorrow will be the day I find something.

I'm off now to do some more stitching. I'm trying to stay off the computer more too. And that is giving me more time to enjoy the things I want to do.

Hoping everyone will have a Wonderful weekend ~~

How do you say Thank you ~~

2011-10-07T12:07:00.000-04:00

How Does one say Thank you when you have been touched so deeply? It was hard for me to even know where to begin this post. I knew it was the Big one, but in no way did I know how Big it was going to be.

I have to say Thank you to my Dear Husband George for starting my day off, with this waiting for me in the Kitchen.

To not 1, but 2 cards....

First one...

and yes, you "know" I wore it... Joanne will have pictures of that I'm sure lol. Loved the nonchalant looks that I was receiving in the short trips I had to make on my way to the shop. Giggled a lot to myself.

Yes, I made my own cake....from scratch.... (I'm thinking it was a success!) Remember it was "my" party. I didn't want anyone to do anything..... Nor Bring anything!

My Daughter called and sang Happy Birthday to me while i was getting ready in the morning (which I over slept!) What a smile her singing brought to my face... To my Son texting me later in the day to send me wishes.. I will see him and Lake on Sunday and will have our family get together then! Looking forward to it!

A few shots throughout the day. I have to say that I did not get many, and I'm sorry for that. I was busy helping some color planning, visiting, socializing..... Lots of socializing... and did not have the camera with me at all times. (I'm thinking I needed the camera around my neck too)

And just look at what Joanne will be fostering for a little while. .... Can you say sweet???

Gotta get that cake in :) Candles were from George... After I blew out the candles I opened card #2 from him. It was one of those musical ones that had "I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it" (now you'll be singing it all day too ) lol. It also said to dance around.... So I did :). Had others shaking it too!

When George was done with work, he called me to tell me he was on his way. Right when I was ready to leave, the Girls from East Berlin came! Surprised to see All of them! I had to give quick hugs and I was off to meet George at AppleBee's for dinner and we had a very relaxing time. Delicious fish dinner for me and steak for George. Little did I know from all the hugging I did before I left, my 50 pin was blinking.... Didn't realize it until I was looking down at my menu! Thank you George for a beautiful dinner.... (tastes so much better when you don't have to cook it!)

When I returned, there was felted soap making going on. Tanya showed me how. Oh, how soft, and oh so fun!

And speaking of felting, Sherri came and she was making these sheep for a show she was doing next week. Sooo sweet!

Now Miss Joanne had me working by unwrapping 50 gifts! They were all labeled and to be opened in order. I had to search through the bags to find #1.

Starting with #1 (I hung this around my neck too...)

how fun it was to open a skein of floss here and there, a slim jim here and there, 50 pennies, nickles etc., etc. Lots of giggles, and fabulous gifts!

to #50 A Beautiful quilt that Joanne's Mom made (or helped Joanne make ;) ) the picture does not do it justice. It's just super!! Size is a lap quilt!

From Beth

All of the EB Girls ..... (hmmm,,,, I'm thinking wool?)

Genny

My Secret Pal

From Linda (a Beautiful leather Bible tote and journal for my lessons) My papers are always a mess..

From Sherri ( Loved watching her make these!)

To my "Nutty" friend Tanya :)... She knows how much I love acorns (these were Super....came from a beach in DE and have such a cool texture on the caps)

Also my Nutty friend Tanya LOL. She has added to my collection immensely!! Are they hysterical or what?

And Joanne on her way home.....

And here is the pattern that I treated myself to for this Winter! Still thinking about color on this one. Old Nutfield.

So how does one say Thank you? This has truly been overwhelming to me. I laid in bed last night just replaying the day in my head, and I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot. I am still in awe of the relationships that I have developed over the last 11 years since moving here. I needed to be still and just listen to what my response was going to be.

It is so true that women need girlfriends in their lives. Every one of them has a different role that you appreciate in a different way. And I have to say that I am so Blessed and so very Thankful for creating the friendships that I have with these women and those who are not pictured here. Ones that I have never met through on line groups, to blogland... (starting to tear up here).. You are all unique, gifted, talented, giving, and very special to me.... I appreciate you for who you are, and proud to call you my friend. Your comments, your prayers, ALL emotionally felt. And the cards, the gifts? My goodness, each one of them will be treasured......... Thank you, thank you, and you really shouldn't have!

Yesterday was filled to the Brim, so much that it overflowed. My heart is still overflowing today. So I want Thank you All from the tips of my toes to the top of my "Tiara" for celebrating my Big 50 with me. It was supposed to be a day for me to be goof-ier than usual, Celebrate the Half Century Mark.... and to make others laugh and have a good time. But in return you All put a smile on my heart that I will forever be grateful for.

Life is meant to be Lived... So get out there and enjoy every minute to the fullest... And whatever you do, do it with a joyful heart....

With Much Love...... May you All have a Blessed week ~~

Patience, Patience... It's almost here ~~

2011-10-05T15:14:00.000-04:00

Yes, yes, yes, the day is almost here. Tomorrow is the Big day and I can't wait! AND it falls on a Hook-in day. What is sweeter than that?? I will be meeting George for dinner on his way home from work, and then I'll go back to the hook in after that.

I don't usually have more than one project going at once, but today I got the bug to color plan a rug that I bought quite a while ago. It's called Harvest Good Things and is adapted from a pattern designed by Lori Brechlin and sold by Spruce Ridge. Hope I got all that right! It's ready to go for tomorrow, so I'll take pictures after I start hooking it.

And tomorrow I will take a picture of the rug that I picked up from the shop yesterday. It's a biggun! It's definitely my Winter project :)

Today I received a card in the mail from Doris, who is a member of AAPG. What a sweet surprise.. And I say "sweet" because there "was" a piece of chocolate in the envelope. Sorry, it's gone already. Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate. Anything dark chocolate, and it doesn't last long :). Thank you Doris!

Tonight I'll be going to play bingo with Linda and Joanne. Hopefully we'll all win tonight. Wouldn't that be great? And.... to treat myself, I bought this while out at the store today. I haven't seen them in awhile. I'll be taking it along with me to bingo :)

The cake is in the oven as I type. Will be decorating it tomorrow morning to take to the hook in. Cake and icing done from scratch. There is always a first for everything. And I have had lots of Firsts this year!

So if you are out in Chambersburg, stop on by, do some shopping, hook with us, or just sit for a spell, and have a piece of cake!!

The weather is supposed to be really nice, so I hope the shop has a great turnout~~ There is also going to be a lucky winner to something I'm giving away.... :) (I can do that.... It's my Birthday remember?)

Until tomorrow ~~~~~

What I've been doing

2011-10-03T18:48:00.000-04:00

Lots of relaxing, and getting into the stitching. I have had this Stacy Nash pattern for a little while now and really wanted to get it done before the month is over. I have a feeling I will regret not cutting my fabric bigger. I know it will fit on here, but with not much to spare. Lesson learned..... I may adapt the pattern, we'll see.
But it's been really enjoyable sitting in my chair, all cosy with the gas fireplace on. Yes, it's been that chilly! Of course I had to tease my husband how hot it was in the house after he agreed that I could turn it on. Even Nicole was thankful when she came home last night. When she walked through the front door, all I heard was a "Yesssss"...

Another thing that I have wanted to do for some time was work on my PictureTrail site (just trying to find the one that I like most to sell my items). So I worked on that today, and have even put an album in there with some things that I am selling. I have a link on the side bar, but you can click Here too. Thank you in advance if you decide to take a look. If you happen to see something that tickles your fancy and you you'd like to buy it, please feel free to email me. I'll get back to you right away.

Tomorrow I will be heading out to have my picture taken for my drivers license. That time really flew by! And then I will stop at the shop to see Linda for a little bit. I ordered a pattern for myself for my Birthday, and it is in. I'm looking forward to sharing that with you too. It is going to be a Winter project for sure!

Not too much to share today.. Will see what I get into tomorrow. I am envious of the ones who still have warm weather. Enjoy it while you can..

Hope everyone had a great day ~~~~

A Beautiful way to start it off ~~~~

2011-10-01T20:58:00.001-04:00

I couldn't have asked for a better way to start off my Birthday celebrating, than with my sweet friend Donna. This all started yesterday morning when she picked me up at 9:30. We went out to breakfast just a few blocks away in town. How wonderful it was not to have to cook for myself for a change! Afterwards we went back to her house to sit and chat while sipping on a "morning" glass of wine. It was delicious. And I "have" to say that the glass was Donna's. SHE turned 50 last year lol. We are only the same age for a short time. Her Birthday is October 17th.

From there we went to the nail salon, but they were busy, so they told us to come back in a little while. We went to a store in town to browse around and then afterwards stopped at the coffee shop and had a frozen coffee. Mmmm.... (Yes Joanne, I thought of you....)

By the time we were done endulging ourselves with the coffee and sitting and chatting, it was time to head on over to the salon. Here is my friend Donna :). This gift was such a treat for me. I have never had a pedicure, and only had my nails done once before.. also gifted from Donna. Why I don't do it more for myself, I don't know. I'm thinking every once in a while, I'm going to just do it! My "first" french manicure too.

My turn :)

When we left there, we headed out to Frederick, Md to a mall to look for a dress for the wedding. I actually found 2 ! Bought them both and will either return one... or not :). We walked and walked and walked, in and out of stores. Donna did a little shopping for herself too. I'm still in need of a pair of high heels. I thought the shoes would be easier to find than the dress. I was wrong. Wow, the styles are pretty ugly (oxymoron, eh?)

For dinner we went to a place I have never been too. It was called Macaroni Grill. Oh my goodness, I haven't had bread (REAL) bread in such a long time. A real nice Italian place to eat. They had a bottle of olive oil on the table for the bread that they bring you. Mmm.... One of the appetizers we got was called mac and cheese bites with a truffle dip.

And here is our waiter Don. He was so good to us. Told me I had the "best" fake I.D. he had ever seen. Such a sweet talker, telling me I didn't look my age. And Yes, he received a very nice tip! lol He was actually singing Happy Birthday to me in Italian when he delivered what is below!

Oh my goodness!! It was delicious and Donna and I split it. It was a Ghirardelli Chocolate Cake..warm ganache, chocolate toffee, whipped cream. Can you say Heaven???? And of course I made a wish..

We arrived back in Shippensburg after 10 last night. I am looking forward to taking Donna out for her Birthday in a few short weeks. Not sure what we will do yet, but you can bet I'll be posting about it :)

Today was another day of pampering myself. I was up early and out before 9:00 to get my hair done. Took the rest of the day to do Nothing! Oh, I did have my picture taken for the church directory, but other than those 2 things, I haven't left the house.. I was going to do some stitching, but I'll save that for tomorrow. Played some games on line, made dinner and now I'm going to relax before heading up to bed early. Looking forward to seeing what awaits me tomorrow! No big plans. Church, some stitching and relaxing....

Hope you enjoyed your Saturday :)

And yet..... another busy weekend A very long post ~

2011-09-27T22:22:00.000-04:00

Yes indeed it was! Saturday morning I drove out with Linda to Mercersburg to do a show with her. I helped her 2 years ago at this show to help promote the shop. Again, same idea, but we took more along this time from the shop to share with people what she has to offer. Some kits were sold, Fliers were being taken left and right, and there are big hopes that it will bring more people to the shop! I took a few shots of the set up. Some did not come out at all. Not sure if something is wrong with the camera now, or if it's just me.

Linda sold some things and I took along a few of my things and sold a few myself. It was a nice day, and thankfully it did not rain. The show ended at 3:00. I had to stop on the way home and pick up a dessert and a vegetable tray for a party I was going to in the evening. My friend Donna (who always had the Spring parties) decided to have a Fall "Bawl" party. It was more or less a party to cry about Winter coming. She cracks me up. I didn't get any pictures from there. It was outside in the evening. What a Great time we had though. Lots of laughing, lots of food, and shhh, lots of alcohol. I really had to behave myself because I had another full day the next day which was going to start early. As it was, I was up at 4:00 a.m. to do the show in the morning. I knew I wasn't going to last long. Of course Donna always had something to toast about. So after the 3rd or 4th toast (can't remember lol), I called it quits and just enjoyed the rest of the time there.

On Sunday morning, I was at Linda's house by 9:30 to have her and Joanne follow me to Joan's. Joan was having her annual hook in to help raise money for the Animal Shelter of Adams County (I believe it is that one). She has people bring a donation and she tries to fill the back of her truck up. I did get an email from her which said that she delivered a Full truckload and a cash donation of $600!!! How awesome is that?

Very generous group of Hookers :) !!!

When we got there, the place was filled up already. I got the time wrong. I thought it started at 10, but started at 9:00 lol. How long have I been going to this?? I blame it on the birthday coming up for me lol.

I got my camera out real quick, because I was only going to be able to spend an hour or so. I had some place else to be. Everything seems to happen on the same day anymore!!

So here are some shots of the group....

And there were lots of games to be played. Oh, and I won one before I had to leave. I won some wool... Joan is a very generous woman. Everyone walked away with a gift. Here is the bed that had the bags of prizes. When you won, you went and picked a bag! She also had other games, a silent auction, and also had a rug that you could buy chances to win. I'm sure everyone had a Super time!!

In the back room, anyone who wants to bring a rug for show and tell puts it there. I was able to get shots of some of them, and then some came out to blurry to post. I was on a time crunch to get as many pictures as I could lol.

Leonard Feenan came with Judy Carter. Leonard has designed some wonderful pieces that Judy has hooked up. Click Here to go to his website, and take a look at his work. A truly remarkable artist! Very happy I had a chance to meet him and chat with him a bit about his work.

I was hoping to be able to see this in person. I'm so thankful she brought it!!

And you just have to see what my sweet friend Tanya gave me at the hook in. I cracked up!!! I don't know.... somehow I've gotten this reputation with hot flashes and fans. I just LOVE it :). A fan with chocolate.... how could it get much better than that?? And it really works! Thank you again Tanya, it's fantastic! Now along with a pair of readers in every room so that I can see things clearly, I have a fan in every room too LOL.

I was able to stay about an hour and 15 minutes at the hook in. Lots of hello's, hugs, pictures and good-byes... I'm hoping Joan has another hook in next year and nothing is double booked for me!

So from there, I had to drive home, pick up my Daughter and head back out with an hour or so drive to the Bridal shower for Lake. Another day of being thankful that it didn't rain since it was outside.

I'm glad I caught this shot of these two. A very strange way of greeting each other. The faces crack me up!
They really do care for each other!

Lots of food to be eaten! And it was all so delicious.

Time to open the gifts~~

Her friend Jessica had this made for her.

And a Bridal shower is not complete without some lingerie! Very pretty :)

Games to be played as well. Here is one where we partnered up with someone and one had to dress the other with toilet paper and make a wedding gown. I opted to dress Jessica since I wanted to take some pictures.

Maria and her daughter Kaila

Kim dressing Kathy

Amanda dressing Cait.

And Millie was dressing Nicole.

A group shot... Jessica is standing next to Nicole. And Lake had to pick the winning team. It was Millie and Nicole!! Oh we had some really good laughs during all of this.

Then of course some cake.

Future Sister-in-laws...

And Mom with future Daughter-in-law....

What a Fun-(and very) filled weekend!! Needless to say, I slept good Sunday night. I cannot believe that tomorrow is Wednesday already. I have heard that we may have quite a few at the hook in on Thursday. I'm looking forward to it!!

And I can't finish this post without a countdown.......... Only 9 more days to goooooooo :) Celebrating was going to start Saturday, October 1st, but my friend Donna is taking off on Friday and we are spending it together. Sooo the celebrating will start even earlier :) Not sure what we are doing yet. But I will be taking my camera~~

Keep on smiling..... it does the body good .........

First day of Autumn

2011-09-23T11:17:00.000-04:00

The lazy days have been lingering with me. Summer is over and Fall begins today. Not sure what is the matter with me. Guess it's the changes in temperature. You can just feel the change in the air. Can you believe that September is just about over? Then it's 3 more months till Christmas?? Ok, now you all are depressed, right? It's time to snap out of it... I'm Embracing the change!

Been slacking big time on the blog. Never even posted anything from last weeks hook in. But Joanne did a good job with her blog in covering it! So glad she was there, and we missed her this week. It was very quiet yesterday, and a few people came and went throughout the day. I didn't get any pictures of them working. I was busy working myself.. a little bit about that in a minute.
Margo came, and when she walked in, you could tell something was wrong. She is having severe back pain. I really wish she would have called ahead. We could have had the elevator ready for her. She found a comfortable chair to sit in and hooked for a while and then went home to rest and take more medicine. Diane came and worked on her pig, and then Jill surprised us and worked on her flower rug. Linda was busy working on a workshop project. It's looking great!

I did take some pictures of the shop. The Gourds are out and look sweet. Linda did a good job with decorating for Fall. I only took a couple shots. (I was working, remember?)

Took just a few shots of my decorating at home. I had the camera out this morning and figured why not. I still have more primping to do..

Now to my hooking. I would have taken a picture of it, but it's still in the car, packed and ready to go to dye group today. BUT.... there is no dye group today lol. Received an email from Joan saying she would see me Sunday. Hmm, got me to thinking. So I called her this morning. We laughed of course. Ok, she laughed at me... and I laughed at myself. Joan is having a hook in at her house on Sunday and she is getting ready for that. Apparently we talked about not having the dye group this month at last months meeting. I'm sticking to my guns and saying I had to leave early. But honestly don't remember if I left early last month or the month before that. Following all of this LOL??? If you are, then you are better than me, because I sure can't!

Sooo, I have some free time to update the blog. Was going to take a picture of what I was hooking on "after" dye group today. So that will just have to wait until I empty my car. I do have some running around today. I have the bridal shower for my future daughter in law Lake on Sunday. Need to finish up for that. I will only be able to stay for a very short time at Joan's, and then head on over to the shower. Shame they landed on the same day.

Tomorrow I will be helping Linda at a show in Mercersburg. I helped her 2 years ago at this show. I'm hoping the weather is good, and she does well. A great way to promote the shop! And then in the evening, George and I were invited over to our neighbors house for a get together. It should be fun.

I have a feeling this weekend will fly by and Monday will be here before you know it. Hoping you all can relax and make it last as long as you can..... Enjoy the weekend everyone, and keep those hands busy! And Happy Fall !

Colonial Day update

2011-09-12T21:26:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. It sure was a wet one around here! So many areas were flooded, schools closed, businesses closed. Such a mess! I think it's all starting to dry up finally, and hope that the rain stays away for a while.

All I could do was pray that the rain stayed away this past Saturday. God was good to us! Friday it rained and rained and rained buckets. On Friday night, Linda and I drove out to Willa's house to spend the night since she is so close to East Berlin. Beth and I sleep there each year to make things easier. A Big thank you to Willa for allowing us to stay :). Saturday morning when I woke up, I listened for the rain. Nothing..... Definitely moist in the air, but no rainfall. We were able to set up and get it all in place in a short amount of time. Sure does help when there are so many of us! I didn't take too many pictures, since it was basically the same set up as the show at Landis Valley a few posts back. This time however, we were all dressed for the show. We were able to get a picture of us all together minus Janice (the picture taker) and Becky who was busy at her stand of pottery.

From left to right: Beth, me, Linda, Lilly Page (Willa's grand daughter), Willa, Louise and Tanya. Love these girls :) .....

After set up. We had 2 booths again.

Willa brought her hooking along, and Linda did most of it. Almost had it all filled in by the time the day was over. Here is Beth pulling some loops.

Janice who took the picture of all of us together was helping her husband Joe with his stand. He makes some beautiful things.

And Becky does the pottery. Love her work!

The day went very well. All of us did a lot better than the last show. The weather helped. The sun came out and it got very hot. The streets were packed at different times. It was slower than last year, but still a good turn out.

Gotta love Louise and her suitcase. I asked her if she was running away from home :).....

I seemed to have missed a few people that had stopped by the booth to say hello. Sorry again Mary! I hope you enjoyed the great atmosphere of Colonial days and will think about coming out again.. Some people couldn't make it because of the weather and the area they were in. Mitzi, I hope to see you next year! And thank you to all our friends who stopped by to say hello and shop! Joanne traveled out to see us and stayed to go to lunch with Beth and I. Was good to see her too since it's been a while.

Sunday was definitely a day of REST for me. I woke up, stayed in my jammies all day and played games on the internet. My husband walked by a couple times and said "you really aren't going to do anything today, are you?".... I said nope, and kept on playing. It was a wonderful day to just do Nothing! Now I will be back into the swing of things this week. The weight has been lifted and I can think clearer now. The Black Sheep Rug Hookers were asked to do the Little Log House in East Berlin again this year, so we will be doing that. It will be November 25, 26, and 27th. We don't have to be there, just our pieces. The women who run it, displays our items along with other people they have asked to participate. It's really very sweet the way they have it set up inside. Looking forward to going out and checking out the other vendors who are in it. Then we have to decide if we will be doing one more show or not. I guess there will be more discussion on that one. I forget when and where it is.

Of course I couldn't leave the show without doing a little shopping of my own. Two little pieces that came home with me, the santa and the bird.

I ordered 4 mugs from Becky a while back. She left them at home, so she said I could just pick something I liked from her shelves to make sure I got what I liked. Love these stoneware mugs! I also bought a piece of redware that was a spoon rest with a goat on it, but forgot to take a picture.

And then Tanya and I swapped some of our pieces. She makes the sweetest pillows :)!

No rain today, and I am thankful. Hoping everyone who was affected by the rain is drying out and getting their lives back in order. What a mess. Hope we don't have that again for a long long time!

Smile this week... It feels good :)

With Respect for this Day ~~

2011-09-11T08:41:00.000-04:00

We will never forget ~~~~

Updating the blog tomorrow with pictures from Colonial Day.

I talked myself into it... and 30 days to go!

2011-09-06T21:10:00.000-04:00

It was a really fulfilling weekend for me. Friday I finished ALL my cleaning. I got a real burst of energy after that last cup of coffee and I went to it. Then I thought about the Fall decorating. I went downstairs in the basement and saw that the tubs were in reach and nothing in my way. Sooo, I talked myself into it... I opened the first one. Before I knew it, I had carried everything in it upstairs that I wanted to put out. Opened the second one and did the same. I rearranged a few things while doing it. (much easier to do since the cleaning had been done). So even though I'm still not ready for Fall, my house is :). By the time evening set in, I was completely pooped, but realized I had the entire weekend to do some crafting....

Well, sometimes things don't go all that well. Saturday I had some grocery shopping to do. I am fortunate to have 3 grocery stores, a KMart and a Walmart all in a 3 to 3.5 mile radius. So where ever the sales are, that's where I go. I had my list. I was off..... 4 stores and over 3 hours later, I was back home unloading and putting things away. My husband gets paid once a month, so there is lots of budgeting to do. Usually the last week of the month I am ready to tell everyone not to eat so much LOL. It was a big shopping order. And after all that, I told my husband I wasn't cooking. I was tired :). So we got a quick take out order. Needless to say I didn't get much else done. But the house was still clean :) !!

Sunday I went to church and then decided to finish up a few things for Colonial Day this weekend. Sewed the wool backings onto these sunflower bowl fillers and filled them with walnut shells.

I had hooked these coasters a while back, but didn't feel like whipping them, so I sewed a backing of wool to them and stuffed them with walnut shells too. I just love the feel of them.

Working on finishing up the punch needle pins also. Still haven't taken a picture of them yet. Will do my best to get them done and take a picture before the weekend. I still have an order that I need to make up for Carol. So if you are reading this Carol, I will get to working on them next week! We will be in touch.

My heart wasn't into doing anything tonight. I have been playing some games on the computer lately and it's really taking up too much time. Need to set a timer for myself or something. We are getting a lot of rain the last few days and that can make anyone tired. Hoping it doesn't last too much longer, and that Saturday is clear skies.

And for the 30 days to go??? Why it's 30 more days till my actual Birthday.... My 50th Birthday!!! Woooo hooooo, I will be sliding in sideways on this one LOL. I will really try to control myself on my posts so you don't get sick of me, but rest assured...... I will be having the time of my life celebrating for an entire month :) I will be starting my celebrating on October 1st and carrying it all the way to the last day of the month. Each day I will do something that makes me happy, makes me smile, no matter how small or how big. My Birthday lands on a Thursday this year. What a coincidence, the hook in is on Thursday ;). Lots and lots of celebrating with family and friends next month!!

Have a good week everyone..

Another Journey ~~

2011-09-02T10:36:00.000-04:00

Good Friday Morning everyone.... I'm sitting here with my last cup of coffee before I get my day started. Had a great night sleep last night, and am ready to get some things done today here in the house, and then spend time working on some hooking later. I have been reading other blogs and how they are all welcoming September. I'm not so quite ready to do so. Just a bit harder for me to let go of Summer. Perhaps if I start decorating my home for Fall, the feeling of acceptance will follow. It will come, just a bit slower for me. The nights have been really comfortable for me sleeping lately. And that's only after
I got up one night this week in total frustration, and got some more blankets (and put socks on my feet). Can you see why I don't want to welcome the cooler weather too soon? I don't tolerate it too well.... So now that I'm all snug under the blankets, I'm sleeping just great. I have to say that the only thing I'm looking forward too with the colder weather is the day that I can put that Down comforter I received as a gift on my bed :).
This week was the start of a new journey for Nicole as she started her first day at college. Also a new journey for George and I as we realize the house will be an empty next before too long. Not sure yet, but Nicole is looking at starting boot camp for the Coast Guard next October. I have a feeling time is going to fly by before we can blink.

I decided to pull out this picture of Nicole on her first day of Kindergarden when we lived in NJ. The reason I pulled it out was to get a chuckle out of the car in the driveway. It belonged to Nicole's Grandmom. She took this picture.

And here is Nicole this week driving her Grandmom's car to college :) Might not be funny to others, but it just cracks me and George up! I ran out the door to snap a picture. Really happy to see that she smiled for the camera.

Another journey we will be taking is our son Craig's wedding at the end of October. They are slowly finishing up their details of the day to come. As a parent, I have cried at different times of happiness, excitement and sorrow for each of my kids. But God help me on the day that my son marries. Anyone know of a really good waterproof mascara? Each journey now in the later years of the kids lives, is just an eye opener for me. They are grown up. I have to thank God that He has been with me each step of the way. Couldn't have done it without Him. Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Have held this scripture in my heart from day one when my kids were born, and for each trial that has passed our way.

Yesterday was the hook in at GrantStreet. It has been slow for the last few weeks. Summer is dwindling away and people are getting their kids ready for school, or finishing up the yard work, canning their foods, etc. I'm sure it will pick up when the cooler weather pops in and people get the itch to start a new project or finish one up that they have put aside during the hotter months.

There were just a handful of us, and we had a good time. Joan came and was finishing up her chair pads. I searched my camera, but I guess I never got a picture!

Nancy came and brought Barb and Linda with her. So good to see them again! Linda made some delicous (fabulous) cookies, and we got a chuckle out of Barb enjoying 2 at the same time :).

Nancy was working on a piece she will be teaching, so no up close pictures. Barb was working on a checkerboard design by Pat Wenger. Linda was working on a Bea Brock pattern.

A close up of Linda's piece. Don't you just love her colors?

Sherri stopped by later in the evening after work. She pulled out her piece to whip, but I don't think she got anywhere with it. We just chatted the rest of the night. I did a little bit of punching. I'm losing steam with motivation and need to get it back. So hopefully this weekend, I can get some things done. It was nice to relax and just enjoy everyone else yesterday. I'm just happy that my house is finally getting back in order. I'm thinking that is another reason I have slacked off. I don't want to create such a mess again! I still have some cleaning to do, and it's been more of a deep cleaning. So I guess I am getting ready for Fall whether I realize it or not lol.

"If" I get the cleaning done that I have planned (making a list really helps me), I may, just may get out my Fall decorations. Maybe if I get them out now, I can enjoy it for a longer period of time... I think what I have done in the past is put them out just a short time before the winter months hit. Then I'm really sad when I don't get to enjoy them.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend, no matter what you have planned!

Black Sheep Rug Hookers at Landis Valley

2011-08-28T11:11:00.000-04:00

I was thinking this morning when planning my update how I've been talking about the show that I was going to be doing this weekend. Too many "I's". Never enough mentions of "we" as a group. Looking back at my recent posts, I never mentioned anything about the other girls in our group "The Black Sheep Rug Hookers". We have been together as a group for a number of years. I will make it a point of getting a group shot at Colonial Days this year of all of us!! Be ready to put on your smiles girls :).

I also have been talking about getting this done and that done and never showed any updates. Haven't been good with the camera being handy lately. So I took a group shot of the items I took to the show. Even tossed in some of my recent pieces. Never know, if the price is right to someone, they will buy it. So I took them. I can always hook more!

Worried about the weather of Hurricane Irene, we managed to get there and start setting up with no rain to bother us in the morning. Linda picked me up before 5:30 a.m. We all gathered and pictched in and got the booths up rather quickly. Everyone just worked together.

Beth, playing with my camera ~ stinker....

Louise and Willa were the only two that dressed up for the day. It sure was humid at different times of the day. You could tell it was going to do something...

Louise working on a stocking she is making.

There was a vendor across from us who was making baskets. I was drawn to one of them, and thought throughout the day that I might be taking it home. All the other girls kept telling me to buy it. I felt so pressured..... Yeah right LOL. By the end of the day, it was still there and it came home with me :)

It was our first time at this show, and with the expected weather, it wasn't too bad. This is only the second year for Landis Valley to do this show and I think they all had a good turn out. We each sold something, so that was nice. I thought it went smoothly. I believe it was after 2:00 that the skies opened up, down came the heavy rains. We all moved quickly to get our things in our tubs and boxes. I felt like I was in a game of twister. I was bending, someone was on top. At one point I said left hand green, right foot yellow, but I don't think anyone heard me LOL. How quickly we got it all put away. And Grace was given when it was time to take it all to our cars. The downpour stopped and was just a very light drizzle.

Louise suggested we all go get a sundae at the nearby McDonalds, so we did that. All muddy and soaked, we walked in lol. It was nice to just sit and talk about the day and how things went. A great day spent with Great friends. I'm looking forward to "our" show in just a couple short weeks at Colonial Day. I have time to make some more items between now and then. Praying for a dry day at that show!

On the way home yesterday, Linda and I stopped at the Black Rose (antique store) and looked around. Even stopped at the Pizza Hut near my house for some boneless chicken wings to end the day. Needless to say, I was out like a light by 9:00 last night. Don't even remember closing my eyes lol.

Today is a day of cleaning for me. Everything has been so neglected, I'm trying to figure out where I will start. I think I'll have one more cup of coffee and then plan it out. If not, I will take the mess from one room, enter another and start cleaning that one, and then will be back and forth. Must stay focused lol!

Prayers are lifted for all who are getting the brunt of this storm. Hope you are all safe and doing well.

I really should be......

2011-08-26T17:06:00.000-04:00

I really should be gathering up my things for tomorrow. But I'll stop for just a bit and update the blog from yesterdays hook in!
It was a busy week, but we were able to relax yesterday and hook and punch. I have to first give a shout out to my "cousin" Karen Harris who came all the way from Virginia 3 1/2 hours away to visit the shop. See what blogs can do?? I had gotten an email from a Karen on Tuesday saying her and her husband might be in the area and wanted to know if the shop would be open. I kept thinking to myself "who is this Karen"? She wrote as if she knew me. I know the memory is not good, but it was driving me nuts. I did not know Karen, but she sure knew me, Linda and the shop from my blog :). She did some shopping and we had her fill out a card that we keep on file with contact information for any future classes that they might be interested in. That is when I found her last name was Harris. It's going to be an easy name to remember and I teased her about being my cousin Karen. We had a good laugh :) ! She sent me another email the next day telling me how she enjoyed the shop and plans on coming back. Well Cousin, it will be wonderful to see you again! Glad you made it back home safely. It was her husbands Birthday that day as well, so they were off to do something that he wanted to visit ... I hope his Birthday was a good one!

Barb came yesterday morning but didn't stay long. She was working on a mini quilt.

Margo brought her pillow all stuffed to show us. Turned out great!

Sherri was whipping her Halloween cat. Too cute of a border, don't you think?

Nancee was away on vacation and said she took wool to work on her rug, but ended up not. I'm glad she enjoyed herself and let the hooking go. Now she can get herself back into it.

Jill was almost finished with her owl that she hooked into the wool. She will be making it into a pillow. Cute!

And Genny, by the time she left had filled in all the background on the left side of the piece.

I was working on some punch needle pins, but never took a picture. I will be taking pictures of the things that I have accomplished a little later on. That is what I should be doing right now. We have a show tomorrow out at the Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum. Hoping the weather holds out and doesn't do anything till the show is over. The pins won't be done, but will be done by Colonial Day in just a few short weeks away. I need to gather up all my pieces and get them in containers. If you are in the area, stop on by to see us. There will be 5 or 6 of us in our booth.

I was off to dye group this morning. I hooked just a little of my project, but not quite happy with it. So when the hustle and bustle is over this weekend, I will concentrate and see where I will go with it. Hope to share a picture of that with you too. I didn't stay long because I had grocery shopping to do. I had planned on doing some yesterday morning. That never happened. Then I thought I would do it on the way home from the hook in. Well, I was too tired and afraid that I would get a second wind. That would not be good either. Over a hundred dollars later, it's finally all put away. Unbelievable on how the prices are going up on groceries too. Hope the girls continued to hook after I left. We even took a break after lunch (which consisted of a small yogurt and some peanuts... told you I needed to do some grocery shopping! We were out of everything lol) to take a walk along the creek where Joan lives. It was a nice stroll and I left when we got back to her house.

So much going on this week. From the earthquake which was quite bazaar to experience and I hope I never experience another one, to the Hurricane that is coming up the East Coast. My prayers go out to all of you who will get hit. I'm not sure what if anything we will get. I'm hoping it's just rain and not the heavy winds. May God protect you, your family and your home.

Time to get myself in gear and start packing. Hubby will be home shortly for dinner!

Another Birthday, Another Fair, and Another Sweet Package in the mail...

2011-08-17T17:57:00.000-04:00

Last week at the hook in, it just happened to be Sherri's Birthday. Linda had bought a cake to celebrate, and it was soooo good.

Unfortnately, Sherri didn't get there until later (above picture makes it look like she had been there all along :) ). So Linda cut the cake earlier lol.

Jill was working on hooking an owl. She was hooking right into the wool. Sorry I didn't get a shot of it.

Genny stopped by to do some punch needle.

And Joan was having fun with her fan (in right hand). She felt like she was on a roller coaster lol.

I was busy over the weekend trying to finish up some things and get ready to help out at the South Mountain Fair in Arendtsville. Not sure how many years I've been helping out there. Tried to figure that out, but came up empty minded. It's always a fun time. Joan (it's all her fault) asked me one year if I'd like to help. They needed volunteers. So I said sure. Not knowing it would be every year since :). But I love it. Joan and I help with the registration for 2 days and then on the 3rd day, the judges come and Joan and I, along with some other women help the judges but holding things up, telling them the category they are judging, etc. I wouldn't want to be a judge! Too many nice things. After the judging is all over, the items need to be displayed so that people can come in the building when the Fair opens later in the day.
Here Mike, Joan and Joan doing some displaying.

Tried to get a wide angle of the room. Everything looked so nice.

And Let's hear the Trumpets Roar for the Best of Show........................ It's Joan Strausbaugh and her lovely rug. I have shown it a number of times on my blog while she was working on it. It certainly deserved it . Congratulations Joan!!!

Here are some of the other Best of Shows that won.

And they even have Best of Show in the Junior Department. This young girl was 13.

I did win some ribbons. 4 1st Place and 2 Second Place. Love listening to the judges talk it out when they are looking over a piece. You never know what they will say or if the item will even get a ribbon. Very interesting to be part of it all.

When I came home yesterday afternoon from being at the Judging all day, I had this lovely package waiting for me. Couldn't figure out who or what it could be. Here a dear friend Bren sent me this. She is a Beautiful quilter, and gifted me with this wonderful piece! Bren, I just love it and can't wait to display it. Nice prim colors. Soooo me :) There was also a hand held fan, and you can't quite read what's written on the plastic. She wrote "Open in case of emergency :)" She knew my fan was using up all it's lives lol. What a sweet surprise, Thank you again Bren!

And here is what I made for Rebecca in our AAPG group for the 3rd Anniversary. Rebecca likes neutrals. (me too, imgaine that?). So it was easy for me to hook these up for her. And she also likes birds, so I made her a little pin keep. The wing has a snap on it and you can store your pins under it.

Today I took Nicole to the recruiter again and we talked about her having her physical exam. After that is all done with and they feel she is fit for the Coast Guard, then she just has to make up her mind for sure if she is really going to do this, and then pick a date for Boot Camp.. I had a bunch of questions of course, and feel very comfortable about everything. George and I will support her 100% if this is what she really wants to do. After we left, we stopped for some lunch and then at a few stores and did a little shopping. Even picked up a Christmas gift for her. They were a pair of boots and she tried them on. Had a good coupon, so I told her I'd put them away for her. She hates knowing what she is getting lol, but she said ok.

It's been a real busy time, but everything is working out just fine. I didn't help Linda out this week at the shop. But will be there tomorrow for the hook in. Hope there is a good turn out! I'll be taking some of my mats to whip I think. Hope to see some of you there.

This day is going by quick. Time to make dinner! Hope all of you are enjoying your week :)

Monday's Hook In and sweet package ~~

2011-08-10T19:24:00.001-04:00

I had a wonderful time on Monday visiting the Blue and Grey Hookers in Gettysburg, Pa. It's been quite a while since I have been able to attend the monthly hook in. So nice to see everyone again! I didn't stay too long, but was able to get some shots of the day to share with you.

I'll do my best with the names. This is Joan's piece which happens to be the pattern that we picked for the dye group. She's such a show off with how fast she gets hers done :). And in all fairness, we were told last month that we would START hooking our project this month! Ahem.... Someone didn't listen, but I guess I can't complain since it is her dye group and her house LOL. Joan, you are doing a beautiful job! I keep telling her she got the best colors! I can't even imagine what mine will look like...

What a nice turn out it was..

Louise, Ellie and Becky

Marion was doing a nice job with her squirrel.

Ruth working on some flowers

Jan and her large Bunny

Another Marion's fine cut

Peggy determined to finish this piece THIS Christmas ...

And here is Peggy. She is turning 90 this week! What an inspiration... Lovely woman, and so happy to see her again.

This is Peggy's piece. A fine hooker who does amazing work.

Nancy and I playing around with our camer's lol

Violet's fine cut.

Lina's

Phyllis's I believe..

Ellie

This is Joanne Henderson's.

and here are some chair pads that Joan has completed for her Church bazaar this year.

I'm hoping to get back there again soon. And next time, I'll actually be able to stay a little longer and work. I did take some punch needle with me, and did just a tiny bit. I just wanted to mingle and get some pictures.

Hard to believe it's Wednesday already. I came home this evening to a package at my front door. I had mentioned in a previous post about an Anniversary swap that we were doing on AAPG. I had to go through a lot of things wrapped in tissue before I found a card to find out who had my name. The return address didn't ring a bell. Mimi had my name :) ! We were to make 3 bowl fillers or ornies and one of them had to be a sunflower. Mimi spoiled me with all her hand work! The sunflower lays in the bowl so cute. the bowl has a real nice grain on it. She also made the other two pieces. The mat and the cat face. AND she made the sheep pictures.! I just kept unwrapping and unwrapping! A cute little tin house to hang on the wall with candles, a winter time pattern to applique, notepad, some gorgeous wools, and a little painted box with a thimble in it. Thank you so very much Mimi for such a Loaded box of goodies! You are too sweet :) Love this group ~~~

Now I need to get my behind in motion and gather things up to take with me tomorrow to the hook in at Grant Street. I get my hair done in the morning. Can't wait!! It's been 9 weeks. Having long hair, I'm able to go a bit longer since there really isn't any style. But this has been the longest I've gone in a while. (wish I could take the plunge and get something different, but I would need a valium to do that lol) I admire people who change up their hair all the time and say "it's just hair".... Guess mine is my security blanket..... Might get brave and get a few more layers put in at the bottom lol. I have to say that I have had every style imaginable and it took me forever to grow out each one. Don't know if I could do it again..

Today the weather was great and tomorrow it's supposed to be even nicer. Hoping it's the same where you are! Enjoy the rest of your week. Do something for yourself !

Taking some time to update....

2011-08-07T10:32:00.000-04:00

Happy Sunday everyone! I hope you are all resting on this day. We have a nice rain going on right now. Not sure how long it will last, but I'm just enjoying the sound of it while I'm sitting here. I hope you are getting rain where you are.

Thursday was another great fun filled day at Grant Street. Joan came to join us and brought her rug that she has completed ! Fair week in her town is just a couple weeks away. Can you say Blue Ribbon?, Can you say Best of Show???? I know I can ! It's a Beauty !

Joan also brought some wool that she had dyed. She is such a generous soul. I didn't get a shot of the blue that she gifted Linda with. But this one was gifted to Nancee. It's done with onion skins. Isn't it gorgeous??

And speaking of Nancee, now that you can see her lol. She realized that she had put the wrong wool in for her bird. I got a picture "in motion" of her ripping it out. I asked if I could do it lol. I have noooo problem ripping something out that I don't like. I had more fun watching her do it!!

I'd say she's content and happy now :)

And just look at how it's coming out! She's finally starting to add a little of the background in. It's a mixture of dark blues.

Very neat hooker, wouldn't you say?

Doris made it out that day too. She was whipping her Adam and Eve rug which turned out very nice. Sorry I didn't get a picture. Here Linda and Doris were going over some pictures that Linda took at Northern Workshop.

And Linda was busy working most of the day on one of her workshop pieces. She hooked a lot. I know she will be done by the end of the month on this one. Maybe next time she'll let me take a quick shot of it.

Joanne came out for the day as well. Always a bundle of laughs. But she was busy, busy, busy whipping, whipping, whipping. I know she complained of a sore butt quite a few times. I don't think she left her chair much!

What a gorgeous variety of whipping yarns in such a huge basket!

And it was at just the right spot on the table.... This is how Joan and I had a conversation LOL

Jackie and Bonnie came in the evening, and here is Jackie's progress on her rug. Lovely!

And as for me? Well, I have become more than a 10 minute rug hooker as of late. When I get home from helping Linda during the day, I cook dinner and then sit my butt down. I am hooking until I go to bed. Here is one yard of linen that I am just about done with. I have a little area that I can do something else.

In between all of this, I have also made a few pieces for an Anniversary swap we are having on our online ebay group, AAPG. I need to get my package out tomorrow. I will share what I did after she receives it.

Today I'll be working on some punch needle. George and I are going to be over his mom's house for an open house. I need something to work on! I can't just sit there. Yesterday I was there doing the last minute cleaning and making the house presentable. We had the carpets professionally cleaned the previous day, and last week the painter finished up (thank you Nancy P for the recommendation of a painter. He did a wonderful job!). Now her house is spotless and mine is a total mess. I just can't be in two places at one time :(.

I was pretty tired when it was all done. Ordered pizza for dinner and then back to hooking I went. I was able to finish the long piece on the left in the picture. I sure am using up my worms!!

Tomorrow I'm hoping to make it out to the Blue and Gray hook in. I haven't been there in quite a while. I should have some pictures to share if I go. And today is the end to a 2 week vacation for George. His place had a 2 week shut down. He keeps asking me when we will win the lottery. He said he can get used to retirement. Would love for that to happen, but I guess you have to play the lottery first. We do every once in a while when it's big, but no luck yet.

Well, time to get my body in gear. Have to draw up something for punch needle to take with me.

Experiencing Fair Queen

2011-07-27T10:40:00.000-04:00

Monday night was the Fair Queen contest here in Shippensburg, Pa. How nerve racking it was for me. I can only imagine how Nicole was feeling. I did my best to not show how I was feeling. Let's just say I didn't sleep well the night before.

It rained in buckets during the day and there was a chance for it in the evening. I went to set up our chairs earlier in the day. I didn't get there early enough though! My goodness, half the hill was already filled! So I chose what I could. People that come to watch this every year, know the routine lol. When we got there it started to rain when we sat down. I did bring umbrella's and I brought towels to put on our chairs, since I knew they would be wet from the morning. Luckily, the rain was short lived and stopped before the pageant started.

The theme this year was a jungle theme. Here is the stage before the girls came out.

The girls had a short dance routine to Jungle Love. Nicole is the one on the left in the back row.

Now left in the front.

Her Dad walking her out and across the stage as they announced her.....

A hug for good luck :)

Nicole telling a little bit about herself. I was on the edge of my seat. She did so well!

All 19 contestants!

Nicole's question that she answered so naturally and from the heart. She got a great applause :)

Nicole did not end up winning and that was fine with her. She is now free to enjoy the rest of the fair week with her friends. She experienced it and enjoyed it a lot. I cannot tell you how many strangers came up to us after it was all over and told us that she deserved to be in the top 5. (we thought so too :)). And how many strangers came up to us and told her how beautiful she looked and how her gown they thought was the pretiest up there. I told Nicole if there was a category for the prettiest gown, she may have won that with all who said so lol. I did not get a shot of the girl who did win, but her name was Hannah. You could tell she wanted it bad!

We are so Proud of Nicole and her achievements over this past year. She has really stepped out and tried new things. A great outlook to an awesome future ahead.

We would also like to thank my friend Donna for lending us this dress (for the second time!). Her daughter Dani wore this to her Prom and Nicole wore it a couple years ago to a Prom and now this. Donna was happy it was getting used!

No matter what, she is our Queen ~~~

George and I walked to the fair last night to check out how the fair entries did and to have some fair food for dinner. Hard to eat healthy at the fair, so I'm not even going to think of it this week. Too much to enjoy, but I am being sensible :). I did see that I won first place on my horse rug and second place on a punch needle piece I did. What was really exciting was that one woman who hooked a cat head in fine cut and had scripture around the border of the rug won first place AND Best of Show!! First time I have seen a rug take Best of Show at this fair. It is up against big quilts. So Congrat's to Thelma!! Can't wait to see her and congratulate her!

Off to get ready to meet up with my friend Donna for lunch at the Fair during her lunch break from work. Hoping to come home and relax this afternoon.

Road trip.....

2011-07-25T09:40:00.000-04:00

Yes a road trip. But it wasn't mine, not this time. Some of the girls from the Brandywine Guild decided to take a road trip to Grant Street Woolworks on Thursday! When I pulled up to the shop, they had just gotten there. I didn't have my camera then, but did get one when they were leaving. This is what they came in... A 15 passenger van! Linda and I were cracking up. They were in there like sardines. Tracy is in the front seat. Her husband volunteered to drive.

Look how happy they are after visiting and shopping :).

And just LOOK how far back the seating went LOL.

I have a feeling these rug hookers new what they were looking for. They went right to the wool. Imagine that?

How fun to watch people look for the right color and fondle the wool. Wool always feels so nice :)

You'll have to forgive me for not remembering and pointing everyone out by name. I did take their names down while checking them out with their purchases, but impossible for me to remember each of them. Tracy is on the left here.

Joanne was happy to see someone she knew. Louise came on the trip too.

We sooo enjoyed having all the women from Brandywine. Loved meeting each and everyone of you. I'm hoping we all run into each other again at the Biennial in October. And we certainly hope you come back to visit again! Remember the all day hook in on each Thursday :). Would be wonderful to have you come hook with us. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your road trip after you left, and that you had a safe trip back. A big thank you to Tracy's husband for being the driver :).

During the day, we had our regulars come and do some hooking. Diane is busy on her rug. She is planning her checkerboard colors now.

Sherri and Caroline came to hook during the day. Sherri usually comes in the evening. Caroline does some beautiful rugs. She is working in a #9 cut.

A close up of the rug she designed. It was a rabbit, but she changed it. Love her color choices! So good to see you Caroline, and I hope you come to hook with us again :).

Linda had us cracking up over her commercial. She was giving us the low down on her "slim-slow" that she likes to drink.

Everyone listening to her lol.

Nancee chose her wools for the birds in her rug. I think Joanne has a shot of the bird done. Such a great choice!

Jackie and Bonnie came later on. Here is Jackies rug. Mm, mm, mm....... Love her colors! Her and Linda were discussing what else she was going to use.

And Bonnie is working on her leaves. Moving along nicely Bonnie!!

A long day for sure, and by this shot when we were packing up to go home, I would say I looked a tad tired.....

The next morning I had dye group at Joan's. We worked our buns off that day finishing up gluing on our swatches to our cards. As a group, we did a lot of dying within the last several months. We will be using these swatches in our next project. I haven't gotten a picture yet of the pattern, but will share it when I get to starting it.

Louise and Jewel working. Nancy was at the table working, and didn't get a shot of her :(.

I didn't get my camera out fast enough to take a picture of all the wool. But here is what was left. We were taking turns picking out which colors we wanted in our piece. How awesome to dye all this and then share it with each other. Love this group :) !

Along with these busy few days, I was busy hooking on Saturday. I am determined to get as many pieces hooked while I'm on vacation this week. Haven't taken any pictures of that yet. It's still on the frame. Sunday I went to church and then took my daughter out for lunch for passing her Crew Chief test with the EMT. I promised her it last week, but our schedules never worked out. We did a little running around. She needed to find something nice to wear to her interview this morning for the Fair Queen. And also a shirt for the dance all the girls do in the beginning. It's going to be a fun night. I just hope it cools off a bit!

My son also came last night for me to hem a couple pair of pants for him. Never realized how short his legs are! I will be doing a lot of hemming for him lol. Nice to spend some time chatting while I was working on them.

This morning I am taking over my pieces to enter them in the Fair. Then I will come home and clean up around here. Oh, if you could see my hooking mess! Pieces here, pieces there. I'm sure all you hookers go through the same thing. Please tell me you do lol..... I might even be able to get in some hooking this afternoon. And then off to see Nicole in the Fair Queen Pageant :). I'm hoping each of the 19.. yes 19 girls have a wonderful time. What an experience. I know I would never be able to do something like that. I can't wait to see who wins!!! Nicole and I were talking about it, and it's going to be a tough one. They are ALL great girls... I'm sure I'll have pictures to share soon.

Enjoy your week everyone, and I hope you can find that bit of shade, or air conditioning to keep you cool.

Hump Day already? And important shop news..

2011-07-20T08:09:00.001-04:00

Wow, Wednesday already? Really? Seriously? Amazing. After a funfilled and busy weekend, I met up with Joanne on Monday at the Hayloft Fabric store in Morgantown Pa. What fun! I had a gift certificate from Joanne that was from my Birthday last year. Guess I'm still celebrating LOL. What fun! You can seriously spend hours in there, but I kind of knew what I wanted. I will be making some pillows of punch needle and needed some backings. These are the ones I picked out. The bold print is definitely bold, but I was drawn to the colors. Not sure what i'll do with that one yet.

From the Hayloft, Joanne took me to Old Peddler Wools that is going out of business. I was able to pick up some that I knew Linda didn't have at Grantstreet. I did tell her about them though, and she will be carrying them shortly. She ordered them yesterday. When I got home, I had to see how a couple of them overdyed. Loved the results. The picture is a little off. It's a bit more deeper than this. But very pleased.

Joanne did all the driving (thanks again Joanne) and took me to quite a few places. One thrift store used to be a furniture store. Oh how funny. Looked like a department store when you walked in. Everything so organized lol. We also stopped at Pizza Hut for lunch. Yum, haven't had pizza in quite a while.. been watching what I eat. Joanne has a picture on her blog of me with an outfit that we saw in an antique store. Too darn funny. I swear this girl is going to keep me in stitches with what she finds for me to wear to my Son's wedding lol. She's really starting to SCARE me lol. We really had a good time, and I had a nice drive home. Hardly any traffic at all.

Ok, about the announcement for Grant Street Woolworks. I wanted to post it today (a thought from Joanne..thanks!) because Next week (July 25th-29th) the shop will be closed. Linda will be away and she is shutting it down. Soooo, if you are in need of any wool, backing, patterns, dyes, etc., stop on in today or come to the hook in tomorrow and pick it up. You'll be set then to sit in doors next week for the heat wave and you can hook till your hearts content. That's what I plan on doing :). Sure hoping it rains though, we certainly need it. Yet another reason to stay indoors!

Hope everyone is finding relief from this heat. I so worry about the elders who have no air conditioning, and the animals that I see wandering around outside. It has to come to an end soon... I'm hoping!

Although every year at the Shippensburg Fair, we always get storms that week. So next week we might get some rain!!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, and I hope to see some of you tomorrow!!

Updates ~~~

2011-07-17T15:14:00.000-04:00

Last week was somewhat of a blurr. Lots going on right now and trying to keep things straight. One is keeping my medicine straight. Have to adjust it again which means taking one dose one day and another dose the next. I've got a nice calendar book (thank you Sharon) to keep these days straight. A daily pill box helps too. (started using one of those a loooong time ago when the brain became more and more foggier lol) It will get straightened out one of these days!

The week at the shop went very fast. Then Thursday came. Another great turnout. Even had a gentleman stop back in the afternoon, and I had him sitting and pulling loops! Before he left that night, he bought a pattern and will be back to start picking his colors either next week, or the week after. Looking forward to having him back.

Nancee has completed more on her rug. Just lovely!

Margo too. I'm anxious to see how the triangles are coming out for her. She's picked out some wonderful colors.

Genny finished the rug she is giving to her son Josh for his wedding which was yesterday. They had such beautiful weather. Can't wait to hear all about it! Josh drew the pattern up for her.

Jill taking a break for some dinner. She got quite a bit done on her next flower.

Louise came with Willa and Tanya to spend some time with us. Louise does such nice work on her penny rugs. She is making some stockings for Colonial Day.

Tanya was using up some of her worms to create some small mats.

And Willa creating some pieces too for Colonial day.

My pile is getting bigger on pieces I will have to finish off soon. I'm just trying to keep on moving so I can get as much done as possible.

Friday morning we had someone come and power wash the house. Really needed it. It looks wonderful now, even the concrete on the front porch and the walk up to it. Wow, didn't realize how bad it was. Happy to say that the bird nest with babies on the front porch nestled on top of a wreath I have hanging on the brick held up just fine. Momma bird was watching tentatively while he cleaned around it. It was the only thing I couldn't move off the porch. When he left, I had some errands to run which took a bit of time, but it was such a beautiful day. I didn't mind being out in it.
Our friends down the street called George and I over later on in the evening to sit and have a drink with them. It was a nice relaxing evening.

On Saturday, I was up early and out of the house by 9:00 to go meet up with my friend Beth to celebrate her Birthday which was a few weeks ago. We had such a nice time shopping at some antique shops. I could do that all day long! In between, we stopped for lunch and then headed to one more before we were off to find the state park that was close by. Beth suggested that we bring something to work on for Colonial Day. Sooo happy she suggested it. What a beautiful day it was. We found one spot where we could sit under the roof and have all the shade. It was a memorial for Veterans. Just sitting there, talking, listening to the birds and all the families in the distance. What a beautiful day. We were there for a couple hours. Then it was starting to get late, so we headed back. Stopped for some dinner and then went our separate ways. Great day Beth! Happy Birthday again...... :)

Here is what I brought home with me from our shopping. The horse I picked up at Thymes Remembered. I had a balance on my gift certificate :). I am thinking about using a tiny bit of shoe polish to tone him down just a bit and then will make a cover for his back. Haven't decided what yet. Yo-yo's, wool applique piece, punch needle, rug hooked. Will share once I decide. The ticking is a yard of older thicker material. Nice aging to it, so it will come in handy for making things. I know it's hard to see the smaller items, but the stoneware piece is made by my friend Becky Mummert. Was really happy to pick that one up! It's a butter dish. Another small redware piece for setting around and the old board will be used for a punch needle piece. Deciding what to do with the box. Love it!

Here is a piece I picked up not too long ago also. Color is hard to see. I had to take some of these pictures with my phone. Charging my camera at the moment. The color is a very nice old blue gray color.

Lots more going on in the next couple of weeks. Our daughter is running for Fair Queen in our small town. Just saw a picture of her today in the paper along with all the other girls. So happy to see a lot of her friends doing it as well. Win or not, I am just tickled that she is doing it. She is creating a lot of memories for herself! Today she is off taking yet another test for EMT. She has passed her license, but this is for something else. I can't keep up with it lol. Then tomorrow she will take her ASVAB test for the Coast Guard. My stomach is tense for her, so I can just imagine how she is feeling. So glad I'm not that young anymore. Not sure if I could handle all the changes today from when I was younger. Only advice I keep giving her is to keep her confidence level Up and do her best. What more can you ask of yourself?

Tomorrow I am planning on heading out to Morgantown Pa to Finally use up a gift card that I got for my Birthday last year. Talk about making it last lol. It is for a fabric shop called The Hayloft. Have been there before. It's awesome. I'm hoping Joanne can meet up with me.

Need to pick up around the house a bit, and then I think I'll be sitting for the rest of the night with my hook in hand!

Enjoy the week ahead, and I hope there is relief for those who have not had rain. We haven't had much either, and could really use it.

Sweetness ~~~~~

2011-07-14T08:11:00.000-04:00

July 12, 1986 was the day I met my husband. So on Tuesday this week, I sent an email to George at his work wishing him a Happy 25 years since the day we met. I have tried each year on that day to say Happy Anniversary. Yes, I like to remember the day. There have only been 2 times that I can remember where I missed it. Not bad! We will celebrate 25 years of marriage next year!

When he came home from work on Tuesday, my back was to him. I was on the computer. Same routine as every day when I hear him come through the door. I say Hi, how was your day? I heard him come in the room and when I turned around, he had this rose for me... Sweet? I think so :)

That night before I said good night to him, I thanked him again for the rose. Nicole had just come in and she said rose? Awwww. I told her it was the day we first met. She looked at George and said "you remembered"? He said nooooooo, your mother always reminds me. LOL. We laughed.

Wishing you all some sweetness and laughter, today and every day :)

Spoiled ?? You tell me ~~

2011-07-08T15:40:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was the hook in at Grant Street. A very slow morning but picked up later in the afternoon. Linda went out of town with her husband, Daughter and grandkids. I was there to take care of the shop. Was quite the rush in the morning for me since I had to stop and get some bloodwork done. Just glad it's all taken care of and looking forward to hearing the results next week. I'm sure the medicine will have to be adjusted yet again... To keep the dogs cool, Linda suggested I bring them upstairs. It was a good idea, because it sure was hot out yesterday!

It was just me and Barb for the longest time in the morning, and then Diane came. Barb had to leave for a bit, but came back. During this slow time, I was able to do some hooking. Just some.... because it was this...... If I didn't have a frame in my lap at all times, he was in it lol.

And this........

And then wanting you to feel sorry for him (no he's not dead lol).

Look at those pitiful eyes. It's like he is saying "Rick, where are you??" And don't' worry Linda, Beau was fine and dandy. Just not in view to get a picture. He was making himself comfortable :).

So before Joan could sit and hook, I made sure to get a wide shot of her rug. So little to go! Go Joan, Go Joan!!! :)

Nancee came with a sigh of relief. (not just for her, but for me too.) So glad she is happy with the colors she chose. And wow, does it look wonderful in person!

And what a friend Nancee is! She had this fan at home that her husband picked up somewhere a long time ago. It cracks me up! The neck adjusts. I actually have it on right now while I'm typing lol. My daughter came in and just laughed at me. Thanks again Nancee :)

Barb was working on a quilt top, but that was early in the morning and I wasn't taking many pictures at that time. Nancy is working on a purse pattern of hers. Using up scraps.

A close up of it.

Jill was able to make it and brought along her latest rug. Love your new hair cut Jill !!

Joan was helping her pick out some wool for her next flower and giving her some tips on the color planning process.

Diane is really moving along on her pig and shamrocks.

Bonnie and Jackie came later but didn't bring anything to work on.

But Jackie did bring along her finished piece. Another gorgeous piece!

Like I said I was able to do some hooking. I started this pumpkin on the 4th of July but didn't get very far. So I was able to finish it and the background and then start the other little piece before I finally quit for the evening.

After all, there was more of this left to do.....

yep, I'd say he was spoiled... Spoiled rotten!!

Took the morning to play with the blog a little. Changed some things up with it. Maybe it will keep me motivated to post more? We'll see....

Hoping each of you can have some down time this weekend to do something you enjoy ~~~

Making and meeting friends through Blogland

2011-07-01T12:15:00.003-04:00

Another Thursday, another Hook in at Grantstreet. A day filled with the excitement of meeting a friend from Blogland, all the way from Ohio. Yep, Lauren of Rugs and Pugs came all the way from Ohio with her friend Mary. They took a vacation to visit some places and Grantstreet Woolworks was on their list! I couldn't see the door from where I was sitting, but I heard Joanne say "It's Lauren"! And then Lauren started pointing to us and naming who each of us were. Knowing us from pictures on our blogs, it was really funny. Mary and Lauren have been friends for many years. How great that they still get together a couple times a year!

Of course there were hugs to be made. Lauren is too funny about having her picture taken. For some reason, throughout the day, I kept hearing "would you put that camera away?" LOL. But HOW could I ?

Pat and Doris also came to meet Lauren.

Lauren shared with us a picture from an old rug that she will be doing it in punch needle. I'm sure it will look beautiful.

So happy that we could have a group shot. A real treat to have us all together!!

Lauren also brought us each a gift. The necklace she made from a spoon! And the candle, ooooh how I wish you could smell it. Divine! Thank you Lauren for such a sweet gift. Such a joy to meet you in person, along with your friend Mary. Had such a nice time talking with you both. I certainly hope you can both come back and visit us again.

After Lauren and Mary left, I was able to take some pictures of what else was going on. Margo, a new hooker was there in the morning color planning a new rug she will be working on. She brought along these 2 pieces that she hooked. The hit and miss circle was her very first piece, and the second is going to be a pillow. It is her last name. She cut all her wool before she left for her new project, since she will be going away for a week or so. Looking forward to seeing what she accomplishes while she is gone.

Nancee, Nancee, Nancee....... Last week she had a heck of a time color planning her rug. I felt so bad when she left. How frustrating for us when we just don't like something we hooked. We all thought it was nice, but when you don't like it, and can't live with it, then OUT it comes! She ripped it all out and yesterday we started all over. She had more of an idea of the colors she wanted. Sooo, back to throwing wool here and there until she felt comfortable with it. She will be taking a little vacation too and won't be taking it with her, but knowing Nancee, when she comes back, there will be a hook in that foundation and we will see next week what she has accomplished! I'm sure she is excited to get started on it.

Joanne joined us again this week! Love having her here. Sure wish she lived closer so she could be there every week!! She brought some wool and wires to make up some feather trees. She's got the routine down pat. Definitely a production line for her :).

Linda was taking a break from hooking her project.

Jackie came and was working on transferring a pattern. Near the end of July, it will be one year since they started coming to Grant Street. Bonnie was the one who said she wanted to learn to hook. Jackie is, was a quilter lol. She has produced quite a few rugs since starting. And her quilting color sense really shows through!

Bonnie seems to really enjoy the hooking also. They didn't bring anything with them to work on last night. They planned to just stopping in and sitting for a while. How surprised they were when they realized how late it was when they left. These 2 have also been friends for many, many years. So cute to see how best friends stay together and know each other inside and out. They always have a story and keep us in stitches.

Sherri also stopped by. She had said she was going to, and then when it got later, we thought maybe something came up. She was going to bring her friend Caroline, but plans were changed. Sure hope she makes it next time Sherri comes out! Sherri was busy whipping her rug.

I was actually able to get some hooking done. I finished up the linen I had on the frame. Just making little things to sell in the Fall.

Looking forward to hopefully getting another piece of linen and starting something else this weekend. Need to go through my idea papers.

Now it's time to figure out what chore I will start with first, before I can have some free time. Not in the mood to do any chores, but as usual, they have to be done. Maybe if I put some blinders on, I can get them done real quickly and be done with them!

Not sure yet what we will do for this Holiday weekend. Haven't even talked to my kids about it. I think Nicole is working Monday, so perhaps it will be Sunday that we can all get together. I have off on Monday, so it gives me an extra day to play :). Hoping I use it to create!!

Wishing you all a Safe and Happy 4th of July weekend!

My Man...... He did it again!

2011-06-28T08:13:00.000-04:00

Yes He did! George fixed my "hot-flash" fan yet again :). He cracked me up when I told him it died again. He had found a fan in the back closet...One of those kinds that doesn't really blow air like imine. (You have to feel the air this little fan puts out to believe it). He tried switching the blades! I never would have thought of that. Unfortunately, the blades on the other one are bent in such a matter that the motor is reversed, and the air blew backward. I could have just held the fan backwards. That would have worked too. But then last night he was down in the basement... "His Shack" and was at his workbench. He used his equipment to test the motor on my fan. It was...sniff, sniff.... dead. Sooo, he figured out how to reversse the motor on the other fan and put it in mine. It's all taped up again and working nicely. He said however that he's not sure how long it will last. Have you ever met a fan with as many lives as this one? LOL I am sooo grateful ! He's my hero :) He just laughs when I tell him that.. I wish I would have gotten a better shot of the equipment he used to test this tiny fan. Too funny to me!

And speaking of hot-flashes, my daughter NIcole being a smarty pants as usual, brought me home a gift from the beach. Gotta love her!

It's such a relief knowing my yard work is done..... for now. That is until it's time to weed, but the heavy work is all over. Thanks to my neighbor for giving me mulch to finish the rest of that side I was working on. He was delivered too much he thinks. So generous of him. How nice it was to come home last night and not have to worry about it. Now I can focus on maybe getting some hooking, or punching done in the evenings. Last night I just took it easy since I was very stiff and sore from the weekend. Really hoping tonight I have the motivation and energy to sit and pick up the hook.

It's raining and dreary out right now. I'd rather wake up to some sunshine, but hey, it's another day... And I won't complain about that!

Enjoy your Tuesday everyone. Hope the sun is shining near you and you get lots done today!

Finally getting somewhere~~ And a Big Happy Birthday!

2011-06-25T09:11:00.000-04:00

Saturday already? Really? Guess I shouldn't complain with time flying by when it's been a pretty productive week. On Monday I was ready to head outside and work on the yard, but hubby told me to take a day off because he was painting the trim work around the new side door of the garage. Needed replacing badly, so we buckled and went and got one. I was wondering what I was going to do, so I picked up some wool that was on the living room floor and took it upstairs to put away. You know where this is going? It was hard to get into the room with all the stuffff on the floor. So I started to pick things up off the floor. It all went spiralling from there. One thing led to another (this was a Good thing!). I turned on some music and just went to town. Before I knew it, I had moved one piece of furniture to the other side of the room and then brought in the red hutch. Moved my sewing machine and the table it sat on to the center of the room and then drug in my Mil's. Her Necchi machine is in a sewing cabinet, and these items were in the room across the hall. By the time I would have called my husband up from the basement, I could have these in there, so I did it myself. I plugged the sewing machine in and it made some clunking noises, so I stopped. Read the manual that she kept with it (from 1984) and saw that it needed oiling. Linda graciously let me take home her oiling can from the shop the next day and it worked like a charm. I did all the maintenance on it and it's running good! Ok, back to the cleaning. Quite a few things had to be moved around, and I accomplished that. I then decided to take down the drawing table that was my mil's and store that away. I liked it, but it wasn't quite the piece to do some work on. I thought what could I replace it with?
I remembered this was out in the garage. Another piece we brought home from my Mil's house. It's going to do just fine for putting my laptop and other items on it. I'm thinking about painting the legs the same color as the hutch. Not sure yet.

I worked on the room for 2 days and got more done than I ever imagined. I'm in the purging mood again, so this is good! On Wednesday, Joanne came out and Linda, myself and Joanne went to play bingo in the evening. They were winners this week, I'm still with a big "L" on my forehead lol. It was fun though. I'm determined to win next week!

On Thursday I wrapped up a lot of loose ends at home before going to the hook in. Nicole was away this week in Virginia with her girlfriend and she called me Thursday and we got a chance to talk for a good bit. I was happy to hear from her. I was going to text her in the afternoon just to check up, but she surprised me first. She told me that since I was good and didn't text her every day, she decided to call ME. (I teased her and said "I'm being rewarded") lol. She laughed.

The hook in was fun as usual. I was however without my camera (Nicole took it). So all these pictures were from my phone. I didn't take a lot. I just enjoyed the day..

I was able to get 3 more small pieces hooked. Took lots of breaks :)

I received a gift from my Secret Pal that day. And Wow, wow, wow! In this beautiful beach tote, I just kept pulling out and pulling out more items. She is definitely spoiling me!

There was a BIG beach towel, chap stick, black bean chips (my favorite), dark chocolate almonds mmmm, some truffles, a drink mix, summer weight P.J.'s (I can't wait to wear them!) and of all things, a Hammock!! My daughter was just telling my husband that she wanted a hammock. Now I'll have to fight her for it. We have 2 trees out in the yard that are close enough together to be able to use it. She is going to flip. (and hopefully not out of it lol) Thank you so Very, very much Secret Pal if you are reading this. I love each and every item!

And I got her again...... Joanne insisting on putting things on her head lol. She's a pistol !!

Friday, I spent the day returning some clothes I had bought and just looked around in a few stores while I was there. In the evening we met up with our son Craig and Lake for dinner. It is Craig's Birthday today!!! So we celebrated last night. Great time with Both of them! Happy Birthday Craig, Love You !! Hoping you take today and spoil yourself by doing what you want to do :) :) :) 24, wow, time is flying!

George is participating in Field Day today which has to do with Amateur Radio. He does it every year at this time. Another reason why we celebrated last night with Craig. Right now George is scurrying around the house getting all his stuff together. I won't see him until late tonight when he comes home to sleep and then head up to the mountain again tomorrow. He does this with a few of his friends. I went up there one year to take him something and they were throwing wires up into trees and hanging them here and there. Amazing how they can talk as far as they do with just those little wires. Hey, a man has to have a hobby, right? Glad we both have something we really enjoy. I went out last night and bought the food they will need, so I think they are set.

Nicole is home and is still sleeping. I'm sure she has lots to catch up on. I will be doing my own thing today, which will mostly be upstairs sorting, and going through some more stuffff. Tonight I'm really hoping I can sit and hook. I've got some stitching and punching ideas in my head too, so I need to get them down on paper so I don't forget. I'm not planning on doing certain things too much, because every time I do that, something comes along and interferes. Sooo, whatever happens this weekend will be just fine with me. Curious to see how much if anything I really do get done!!

Wishing each of you a very relaxing, and creative weekend :)